[PNIF (Peak nasal inspiratory flow) as a method for assessing nasal airway patency in the ECAP (Epidemiology of Allergic Disorders in Poland) multicenter study].

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of PNIF in assessing nasal airway patency based on test results. The sample in the study was a group of 4 674 subjects, including 1291 people aged 6-7 years (woman 643, men 648), 1293 people aged 13-14 years (woman 625, men 668) and 2090 adults (woman 1284, men 806). The research method employed in the study was the measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow using a peak flow meter with a suitable mask as used in rhinomanometry tests and with a flow rate ranging from 20 to 350 l/min. The study was conducted in 2006-2008 at the following centres: Katowice, Wroclaw, Krakow, Lublin, Warszawa, Bydgoszcz, Gdansk and in the rural areas of the former province of Zamosc.
Results: For the purposes of the study, the average values for the subjects were calculated for a number of criteria: - subject age: The average PNIF value was 52,41/min for subjects aged 6-7 years(n=1291), 94.7 l/min for subjects aged 13-14 (n=1293) and 108.0 l/min for the adults (n=2090). Indeed statistical dependences for all aged groups were observed on level p<0,0005. -diagnosis: The average PNIF value for healthy was 52,3 l/min p=0,338 for subjects aged 6-7 years (n=680), 97,3 l/min p=0,279 for subjects aged 13-14 (n=640) and 111,7 l/min p=0,438 for the adults (n=1035) and for allergic rhinitis PNIF value was 50,41/min p=0,028 for subjects aged 6-7 years(n=310), 93,3 l/min p=0,299 for subjects aged 13-14 (n=389) and 107,71 1/min p=0,276 for the adults (n=623) and asthma PNIF value was 51,6/min for subjects aged 6-7 years(n=149) 87,3 l/min p=0,062 for subjects aged 13-14 (n=145) p=0,097 and 105,3 l/min p=0,13 for the adults (n=198) -exposure to tobacco smoke (adults): passive smoking - 105,311 min (n=1202) p=0,017, active smoking-119.1 l/min(n=885) p=0,108.
Conclusions: PINF is important investigative tool thanks which we can: to differentiate in dependence the functional state of nose from: put the recognition (the patients with allergic rhinitis, the bronchial asthma), the age and the studied sexes.