Effect of Smoking on Nasal Resistance

흡연이 비저항에 미치는 영향

Background & Objectives : Nasal resistance which is halfly responsible for airway resistance is known to be influenced by hypoxia, hypercapnia, exercise, pregnancy, alcohol, ammonia and smoking. Smoking is a common part of our sociocultural environment and we have many a times been introduced to its various adverse effects, which have usually been more focused on lung problems. The purpose of this study is to determine any relationship between smoking and nasal resistance and to evaluate it's effective sites. Materials and Methods : Acoustic rhinometry was performed in 25 smokers and 25 nonsmokers who had no nasal symptoms nor abnormal rhinoscopic findings, and used an acoustic rhinometry to measure the distance from nose-piece to the C-notch, cross sectional area at the C-notch, and volume of the nasal cavity from nose-piece to 7cm. The authors compared the data between the two groups. Results : The cross sectional area at the C-notch was significantly decreased(p<0.05) in smoking group. The distance to the C-notch and the volume of nasal cavity were decreased likely in smoking group but there were no significant difference(p>0.05). Conclusion : Smoking reduced the cross sectional area at the C-notch, so increased the nasal resistance. The underlying mechanisms seems to be decreased nasal mucosal reactivity and congestion of the nasal mucosa. The authors believe there should follow more studies on pathophysiologic mechanisms and the histopathologic changes which involve the effect of smoking on nasal structures.