[Prospective evaluation of the method of measurement of the peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in allergic rhinitis. Observational study "Pratic in ORL"].

Objectives: To establish the ENT specialists's interest for the nasal obstruction measurement by the Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) for the primary care medical management of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Material And Methods: A nation wide mail survey was conducted on the whole set of 2,800 French ENT specialists. Physicians had to use the PNIF in 4-consecutive patients with allergic rhinitis and assess through a questionnaire their interest for this tool.

Results: About 8% of all ENTs (n = 228) responded. 65.3% of them had used the PNIF with their 4 patients, 29.7% used it in only 1 to 3 of their patients, and 5% did not use it at all. The PNIF was mainly used in moderate to severe rhinitis (94%) in contrast with mild rhinitis (32%) and in persistent rhinitis (94.2%) compared to intermittent rhinitis (54.8%). The primary motivation to use the PNIF on a systematic basis was to quantitatively assess nasal obstruction and to obtain an objective measurement of nasal obstruction. Conversely, the reasons for not using the PNIF were the needless of an objective measurement of nasal obstruction, the drawback of the PNIF in the patient physician relationship and lack of patient's acceptance of the device. Most physicians considered training for a correct usage of the PNIF was easy. Finally, about 2 thirds of the sample gave a positive rating on the usefulness of the PNIF for their patients.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the interest of the practitioners to dispose of a simple and reliable tool for the follow up of nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis.