# Correlation between Subjective Nasal Patency and Nasal Capacity in Young Adults: A Pilot Study with a Prototype Device—A Nasoorospirometer

## TL;DR

This pilot study tested a new device to measure nasal capacity in young adults and found that higher BMI and neck circumference are linked to nasal airway obstruction.

## Contribution

The study introduces a prototype nasoorospirometer and explores its feasibility for assessing nasal airway obstruction in young adults.

## Key findings

- No significant correlation was found between subjective and objective nasal airway obstruction measures.
- Higher BMI and neck circumference were associated with lower nasal airway obstruction in young adults.
- The nasoorospirometer's use with anthropometric measures requires further validation.

## Abstract

Background: Nasal airway obstruction (NAO) is characterised by high resistance in the nasal cavity with a collapsible and narrowed upper airway and is an integral part of OSA pathophysiology. The literature demonstrates that the identification of high-risk OSA in the young adult population leads to the prevention of later health consequences. A nasoorospirometer is a prototype device that measures nasal capacity during inspiration. The basis for measurement is a Wheatstone bridge and a thermal anemometer. The parameters are recorded via hot wire anemometry (HTA) with velocity measurements in the airflow field. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of the device by examining a young adult sample. The secondary aim was to determine whether subjective NAO correlates with nasal capacity and whether NAO corresponds with anthropometric parameters and individual risk of OSA. Methods: A group of 31 participants (mean age 24.9 years) underwent a thorough laryngological examination. The nasoorospirometer was used to measure objective NAO (nasal capacity), the NOSE scale was used to gain subjective NAO evaluation, and the Berlin Questionnaire for the risk of OSA. Results: A correlation analysis confirmed no significant associations between the subjective and objective measures (p > 0.05). Higher BMI and neck circumference are associated with lower NAO and higher nasal patency in the population of young adults (r: 0.32–0.45; p < 0.05). The risk of OSA showed no statistically significant association (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We presented three methods of NAO assessment: subjective participant evaluation, objective nasoosopirometry, and objective laryngological assessment. However, the use of a nasoorospirometer with anthropometric measures in young adults needs to be verified in future studies.