The Impact of Septal Deviation on Intranasal Schirmer Test Values

Intranasal Schirmer Test in Allergic Rhinitis: Relationship to Symptom Scores and Role in Determining Response to Treatment

OBJECTIVES

The Intranasal Schirmer test (INS) is an easy to administer test that can yield objective measurement of the quantity of nasal secretion and has been studied in patients with various nasal and systemic pathologies; however, the role of INS in patients with allergic rhinitis remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the relationship between various allergic symptoms and the Intranasal Schirmer Test (INS) score and to evaluate the utility of INS in determining treatment effect in patients with allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

This prospective study included patients with allergic rhinitis who were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups (nasal steroid only, oral antihistamine only, nasal steroid and oral antihistamine). For all patients, Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) was used to measure symptom severity and INS was administered before and after treatment. Pre-treatment and post treatment TNSS and INS scores were compared between different treatment groups and within each group.

RESULTS

The study included 120 patients, with 40 patients in each group. There were significant differences both in pre-treatment and post-treatment symptom severity score with changes of INS scores between treatment groups (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively). There was a significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment symptom severity scores and the INS score in each treatment group (P < .001). There was also a significant positive correlation between INS score and TNSS (r = .591 and P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The Intranasal Schirmer Test can be used as an objective tool for patients with allergic rhinitis as an adjunct to subjective patient symptom reports and can also be used to determine the response to treatment.

Evaluation of effect of septoplasty on nasal mucosal dryness using intranasal Schirmer test

BACKGROUND

Septal deviation causes the air entering the nose to encounter resistance and leads to turbulent flow formation by disrupting laminar air flow. In the literature, the Schirmer test has been recommended to evaluate the moistening of the nasal mucosa.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of nasal humidification using the intranasal schirmer test in patients with septal deviation and to reveal changes in mucosal dryness and humidity in both nasal cavities following septoplasty surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-three patients with septal deviation detected at endoscopic rhinoscopic examination and scheduled for surgery were enrolled. Schirmer test was performed twice, at a one-month interval, pre- and postoperatively and test records were compared.

RESULTS

The Schirmer test value for the deviated side of the septum was significantly lower than that for the contralateral side, for both nasal cavities. Schirmer test values increased significantly on the side of the septal deviation compared to the preoperative values.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Septoplasty surgery performed for septal deviation significantly and reduces nasal mucosa dryness so increases Schirmer test results on the deviated side. We attribute this to septal deviation impairing air flow in the nasal cavity and causing nasal mucosa dryness.

Does Nasal Secretion Decrease in Sjögren Syndrome and Does This Affect Nasal Function?

OBJECTIVE

Sjögren syndrome is a systemic inflammatory disease causing gland dysfunction. Few (and contradictory) reports on the mucosal effects of Sjögren syndrome have appeared. Here, we objectively demonstrate nasal dryness in Sjögren syndrome patients and explore the effect of such dryness on olfaction.

METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients with primary Sjögren syndrome were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The control group consisted of 21 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Medical histories and nasal findings were recorded. The Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test was used to evaluate olfactory function. All subjects underwent mucucociliary clearance analysis (the saccharin test and peak nasal inspiratory flowmetry). The intranasal Schirmer test was used to evaluate the nasal cavity.

RESULTS

The nasal Schirmer test scores were 8.4 mm (right) and 8 mm (left) (P = .041, P = .016, respectively, compared to controls). The Chi-squared test revealed significant differences (compared to controls) in nasal dryness (P = .001), postnasal drip (P = .04), and smell (a decrease) (P = .005). Neither olfactory function nor mucociliary clearance differed between the groups. We noted a trend toward a positive correlation between olfactory function and the nasal Schirmer score but statistical significance was not attained.

CONCLUSION

The intranasal Schirmer test objectively showed that Sjögren syndrome patients exhibited nasal cavity dryness; this is useful in terms of follow-up. This did not affect olfactory function.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:370-373, 2021.