Evaluation Effects of Nasal Nitric Oxide Measurements Are Associated With Atopy Status in Chronic Nasal Inflammation

Patients were prospectively recruited from the Rhinology Clinics of the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Beijing TongRen Hospital from January 2010 to November 2010. After application of the exclusion criteria, the study was discussed with 410 consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of chronic nonallergic nasal inflammation. Of these, 214 agreed to take part in, of which 83 were excluded (57 diagnosed as other nasal diseases such as fungal sinusitis, inverted papilloma and so on, 20 with obviously medicine history in the latest two weeks, and 6 refused to continue). Thus, 131 patients were randomized for inclusion and 20 normal adults were recruited as well in our study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed as CR, CRSsNP or CRSwNP based on the criteria of the European position paper.
• Had at least two or more symptoms, one of which was either nasal blockage/obstruction/congestion or nasal discharge (anterior/posterior nasal drip), and/or facial pain/pressure, and/or reduction or loss of smell;
• Either endoscopic signs of polyps and/or mucopurulent discharge primarily from the middle meatus and/or oedema/mucosal obstruction primarily in the middle meatus.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy, lactation, significant psychologic problems, inability to comply with study protocol, children under 18 years of age, systemic diseases affecting the nose (e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoid, and acute upper or lower respiratory tract infections within 2 weeks before the inclusion visit)
• Use of systemic corticosteroids within 2 weeks before the inclusion visit, systemic diseases preventing participation in the study, and medical or surgical treatments influencing the study.
• Patients with diagnosed atopic dermatitis and atopic asthma.
• Patients with diagnosed allergic rhinitis.