Peak nasal inspiratory flow: a useful and handy tool for the diagnosis of nasal obstruction in the elderly

The global population is aging, with the over-65 age group expected to double in the USA by 2030. Three subcategories of elderly people have been identified: “young old” (from 65 to 74 years), “older old” (from 75 to 84) and “oldest old” (85 or more). Rhinosinusitis is a common disease that affects more than 31 million people in the USA every year. Nasal obstruction is one of the most common symptoms in patients affected by rhinosinusitis. An accurate nasal obstruction evaluation in the elderly is becoming of increasing interest for medical doctors, especially for geriatricians. Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) is a cheap and easy method for assessing nasal patency. The purpose of the study was to compare young old normal PNIF values with older old normal PNIF values. Charts relating PNIF normal values in the elderly with various explanatory variables have been provided. PNIF measurements were performed in 113 volunteers aged 65–84 years. One hundred and five of them fulfilled the study criteria and were self-reported healthy elderly. None of them complained of nasal symptoms. Data were statistically analyzed and figures and tables were produced relating PNIF to height, sex and age. PNIF values decreased with age (p = 0.0053) and were significantly lower in the “older old” sub-cohort than in the “young old” group (p = 0.007). Nasal obstruction in the elderly is a common problem and appropriate diagnosis and treatment are important for improving their quality of life. The measurement of PNIF could be useful in evaluating elderly patients who complain of nasal obstruction.