Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance using saccharin test in smokers: A prospective study.

Background And Aim: Nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT) can be measured with the saccharine clearance test which is an inexpensive and easy method. The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate NMCT using the saccharine clearance test in smokers and non-smokers.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-five patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years were included in the study. Fifty of the patients were smokers (Group 1) while 35 were healthy, non-smoking volunteers (Group 2). Saccharin clearance test was used to evaluate NMCT in both groups. The results obtained were compared and the statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: NMCT was statistically significantly higher in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 (P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test). However, in cumulative smoking duration (pack-year), Fagerström test values and gender categories, there was no statistically significant difference in the average NMCT values of the two groups (P = .943 vs P = .812 respectively), P = .45).

Conclusion: Mucociliary activity, the primary defence mechanism of the respiratory epithelium, is significantly depressed in smokers. Our findings showed that the said depression is not associated with the number of cigarettes smoked, duration of smoking or nicotine dependence.