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Background: Nasal sensation of airflow describes the perception of the passage of air through the nose. Nasal obstruction can be assessed using subjective techniques (symptom scores and visual analogue scales [VAS]) and objective techniques (anterior rhinomanometry [RMN], acoustic rhinometry [AR], and peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]). Few studies have evaluated the correlation between these techniques., Objective: The primary objective of our study was to determine the degree of correlation between subjective and objective techniques to assess nasal obstruction., Materials and Methods: Nasal obstruction was assessed using a symptom score, VAS, RMN, AR (minimal cross-sectional area [MCSA] and volume), and PNIF in 184 volunteer physicians. Spearman's rho was recorded. Correlations were considered weak if r ≤ 0.4, moderate if 0.4 < r < 0.8, and strong if r > 0.8., Results: Mean (SD) age was 37.1 (6.9) years (range, 25-56 years); 61% were women. We found a strong correlation (r > 0.8; p = 0.001) between the different parameters of RMN and a moderate correlation between symptom score and VAS (r = 0.686; p = 0.001) and between MCSA and RMN (resistance) (r = 0.496; p = 0.001) and PNIF (r = 0.459; p = 0.001). The correlations were weak or non-significant for the remaining comparisons., Conclusion: Nasal obstruction can be assessed using subjective and objective approaches. The correlations between objective techniques were moderate to strong. In addition, between subjective techniques we reported a moderate correlation. Finally, the correlations between the subjective and objective techniques were weak and absent. These findings suggest that each of the techniques assesses different aspects of nasal obstruction, thus making them complementary., (Copyright © 2012 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are no data on atmospheric pollen in Talca. In the present work, our aim is to describe the amount of pollen grain in the atmosphere of the city of Talca likely to cause pollinosis of its inhabitants., Methods: A volumetric Hirst sampler (Burkard seven-day recording device) was used to study pollen levels. It was placed in the centre of Talca from May 2007 to April 2008., Results: The highest airborne presence of pollen, as measured in weekly averages, was Platanus acerifolia with a maximum weekly daily average of 203 grains/m³ registered during September and October. The second highest was Acer pseudoplatanus with a maximum weekly daily average of 116 grains/m³. Populus spp. had a maximum weekly daily average 103 grains/m³. Olea europaea reached 19 grains/m³ in November. Grasses presented high levels of pollen counts with a maximum weekly daily average of 27 grains/m³ from the end of August until the end of January. Pollens of Plantago spp. Rumex acetosella and Chenopodium spp. had a similar distribution and were present from October to April with maximum weekly daily average of 7 grains/m³, 7 grains/m³ and 3 grains/m³ respectively. Significant concentrations of Ambrosia artemisiifolia were detected from February until April., Conclusion: The population of Talca was exposed to high concentrations of allergenic pollen, such as P. acerifolia, A. pseudoplatanus, and grasses in the months of August through November. The detection of O. europaea and A. artemisiifolia is important as these are emergent pollens in the city of Talca. Aerobiological monitoring will provide the community with reliable information about the level of allergenic pollens, improving treatment and quality of life of patients with respiratory allergy., (Copyright © 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: Allergic diseases are very common, with the estimated cumulative prevalence in Colombia for asthma and allergic rhinitis being 22.7% and 31.3% respectively, and with a clear upward trend. A major social as well as economic impact associated with allergic disease has been described. Because in Colombia there are no studies that assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in allergic respiratory diseases, our aim is to describe the HRQOL in subjects with respiratory allergy and its association with clinical control variables., Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted among 76 Colombian subjects with rhinitis and asthma/allergic rhinitis. In order to evaluate the HRQOL, the instruments Kidscreen-27 and SF-36 were applied. The scores obtained in the HRQOL fields were correlated with the following clinical variables: peak expiratory flow (PEF) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF)., Results: In children, the better HRQL domain is present in the school environment (55.9) and the worst in psychological well-being (39.9). For adults the worst HRQL was found in the emotional function domain (55.6) while the physical function (81.7) had the best. There were no statistical differences between groups of asthma/allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. Subjects with allergic asthma showed a strong correlation between the mental health domain and PEF values (r=-0717, p=0.046)., Conclusion: Mental health is more affected than physical health in Colombian subjects with respiratory allergy. There was a strong correlation between the mental health domain and the values of PEF in patients with asthma/allergic rhinitis., (Copyright © 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)