Does the external nasal dilator strip help in sports activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that the external nasal dilator (END) increases the cross sectional area of the nasal valve, thereby reducing nasal resistance, transnasal inspiratory pressure, stabilizing the lateral nasal vestibule, and preventing its collapse during final inhalation. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to carry out a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on the effects of the END during physical exercise. METHODS: After selecting articles in the PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases, 624 studies were identified. However, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were considered eligible for review. RESULTS: Those studies included in the meta-analysis, the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max.) outcome was assessed in 168 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.86 [- 0.43, 2.15], p = 0.19, and I2 = 0%. The heart rate (HR) outcome was assessed in 138 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.02 [- 3.19, 3.22], p = 0.99, and I2 = 0%. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) outcome was assessed in 92 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = - 0.12 [- 0.52, 0.28], p = 0.56, and I2 = 27%. CONCLUSIONS: The external nasal dilator strip showed no improvement in VO2max., HR and RPE outcomes in healthy individuals during exercise.

Nasal function and cardio-respiratory capacity of adolescent with external nasal dilator.

BACKGROUND: the external nasal dilator (END) has been employed for the purpose of aiding sporting performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate nasal function and cardio-respiratory capacity in healthy adolescent athletes using the END. METHODS: double-blind, crossover clinical trial in which adolescents were evaluated while using the experimental and placebo END during physical exercise. Values for peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), nasal resistance (NR) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were obtained in randomized order. Additionally, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after the cardio-respiratory test was assessed. RESULTS: for the 71 adolescents evaluated, the use of the experimental END, compared to the placebo, produced a significant improvement in values of PNIF (177.4 ± 20.9 L/min and 172.8 ± 20.2 L/min) (p = 0.020), NR (0.24 ± 0.16 and 0.27 ± 0.16) (p = 0.007), VO2max. (39.5 ± 5.2 mL/kg. min-1 and 37.5 ± 5.2 mL/kg. min-1) (p < 0.001) and RPE (6.0 ± 2.2 and 5.5 ± 2.4) (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: the END reduced NR, increased PNIF and improved VO2max. In addition, it improved RPE after the maximal cardio-respiratory test. The use of the END can significantly improve nasal function, increase cardio-respiratory capacity and reduce rating of perceived exertion during a maximal test involving adolescent athletes.

Effect of the external nasal dilator on adolescent athleteswith and without allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES: The ability to effectively breathe through the nose is an important component of physical exercise. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of the external nasal dilator (END) on healthy adolescent athletes and those with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Clinical trial, double-blind, crossover, in which we evaluated healthy adolescent athletes with allergic rhinitis, using experimental and placebo ENDs, submitted to a maximum cardio-respiratory test in randomized order. Predicted values for peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF%) and nasal resistance (NR) were obtained, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also assessed after the race test. RESULTS: 65 adolescents participated in the study, 30 of whom had allergic rhinitis. The use of experimental ENDs demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in peak nasal inspiratory flow values (predicted %), nasal resistance, maximal oxygen uptake value (VO2Max.) and rating of perceived exertion, both in the healthy group and the one with allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Results suggested that END reduces nasal resistance, improves maximal oxygen uptake and rating of perceived exertion after a maximum cardio-respiratory test on healthy adolescents and those with allergic rhinitis.

Pulmonary radiographic findings in young children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary evaluation is one of the greatest challenges in children with cystic fibrosis who are younger than 6 years. Although chest CT can provide the most information for initial and progressive changes in cystic fibrosis, the radiation exposures can lead to significant cumulative exposure in children as they are followed with serial scanning to monitor early and progressive disease. Therefore the systematized study of chest radiographs using the Brasfield score has been used scientifically with the aim of evaluating the evolution of pulmonary abnormalities in children with cystic fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the radiologic findings in children younger than 6 years with cystic fibrosis. We used the Brasfield score to compare radiographs performed in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa vs. oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and to compare radiographs in children with early vs. delayed diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 254 chest radiographs from 67 children who had undergone material cultures of the airways as part of routine care were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. The statistical analysis was performed by the Kruskal-Wallis test, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Approximately 35.8% of chest radiographs had a Brasfield score lower than 21 points, which is compatible with potentially irreversible pulmonary disease. Brasfield scores decreased (this score decreases with increasing disease severity) in older children, and both bacterial colonization with Pseudomonas and later diagnosis were associated with lower (greater disease) scores. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of radiographs using the Brasfield score demonstrated the most important pulmonary findings in cystic fibrosis and identified the age group when these alterations began to appear more pronounced.

Asthma and allergic rhinitis co-morbidity: a cross-sectional questionnaire study on adolescents aged 13-14 years.

AIMS: There is scarce epidemiological population-based data on the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) co-morbidity in adolescents. The aim was to verify asthma and AR prevalence rates in order to emphasise asthma/AR co-morbidity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire in adolescents aged 13-14 years, chosen randomly from public schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 3262 students were identified, 3083 (47.3% males) of whom completed the questionnaire (response rate 94.7%). The prevalence of symptoms related to asthma and AR co-morbidity was 8.4% (95% CI, 8.09-10.25). Among asthmatic adolescents, symptoms of AR were reported in 46.5% (95% CI, 42.60-52.08%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of adolescent asthma and AR co-morbidity in this area of Brazil. This co-morbidity is an important health issue that requires strategic application of primary health care facilities to achieve adequate control of both asthma and allergic rhinitis.