Introduction Allergic rhinitis, beginning from childhood, is a global health problem. According to the literature, allergic rhinitis has been found to be associated with asthma and other allergic manifestations. In this study we like to find out the significance and prognostic importance of pulmonary function test (PFT) in allergic rhinitis. Design and setting: The study was carried out over a period of 2 years, with 63 cases and controls each. Subjects in the age of 20-55 years with allergic rhinitis and SFAR score of >/=7 were included as a case. Participants were interviewed and sent for PFT. Controls were recruited from the retrospective data of healthy individuals with pulmonary function parameters done for health checkup. These controls had an SFAR score of <7. Main outcome measures: Clinical data and PFT of cases and controls was used for the study. SFAR score was used to recruit the cases and controls. All the data obtained were analyzed and compared between cases and controls. Results The mean age of the cases and controls were 33.17 +/- 10.817 and 44.41 +/- 7.4, respectively. Majority of cases and controls were males (60.3% and 57.1%). A statistically significant difference in FEF25-75% among cases and controls was noted (p=0.00), thus proving probability of developing small airway obstruction in subjects with allergic rhinitis. Conclusion Subjects with allergic rhinitis have a probability of developing small airway obstruction with subclinical changes, hence necessitating the need of regular follow-up.

Background: Prolonged tracheostomy bypasses the upper airways leading to absence or reduction of nasal airflow. This altered nasal physiology not only impairs olfaction but also may cause mucociliary dysfunction and consequent nasal crusting and rhinosinusitis. Objective: To objectively evaluate the extent of nasal mucociliary impairment in patients with prolonged duration of tracheostomy. Design and Setting: This is a prospective case-control study done in a tertiary care center wherein the nasal mucocilary function was assessed by saccharin test in patients who were tracheostomized for a period of more than 4 weeks and the saccharin transit time (time taken to appreciate the sweet taste after endoscopic insertion of saccharin pellet on anterior end of inferior turbinate) was compared by the same test in age and sex matched healthy individuals. Main outcome measures: Clinical data, indication of tracheostomy and duration of tracheostomy were assessed for their impact on the nasal mucociliary clearance using saccharin transit time in the two groups which was then statistically analyzed using student t-test. Results: Mean saccharin transit time in 30 patients with prolonged tracheostomy was 934.97 seconds with a standard deviation of 75.95 seconds whereas in 30 controls, the meantime was 447.4 seconds with a standard deviation of 63.22 seconds, which was statistically significant (p<0.001) Conclusion: Prolonged duration of tracheostomy leads to impaired nasal mucociliary clearance, which in turn could cause chronic rhinosinusitis.