Performance and work of nasal breathing

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE. To evaluate performance (Q) and work (W) of nasal breathing as potential parameters in functional diagnostic of nasal obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS. We included in our study 250 patients and we measured by 4-phase-rhinomanometry with decongestion test. We calculated performance Q of the “representative breath” in inspiration and expiration and in total breath, maximal performance Q (Qmax), Work W of nasal breathing in mJ and in mJ/litre and Q in J/min. RESULTS. The interquartile range of Win for representative breath before decongestion is 356 mJ/l, Wex 308 mJ/l, while after decongestion Win is 264 mJ/l and Wex 220 mJ/l. There is no significant difference between work before and after decongestion (p<0.001). Interquartile range for nasal breathing Q before decongestion is 19.2 J/min and after – 14.3 J/min. A significant correlation exists between logarithmic vertex resistance for inspiration and expiration and Qmax for inspiration and expiration (p<0.001). That means that the performance required by breathing depends in the first line on nasal resistance. CONCLUSION. Inspiratory work is 1.2 times higher than expiration work. Increase in nasal airway resistance is followed by increase in maximal nasal performance.