Applicability of Nasal Schirmer Test on Turkish Population and Identifying its Normal Range Values

Abstract

Introduction: Nasal schirmer test which is a modified schirmer test can be used in evaluating the amount of nasal secretion. However, we do not know the normalized values of nasal shirmer test on Turkish population. The aim of the study is investigation of applicabilitiy and normal range values of nasal schirmer test on Turkish population.Methods: 200 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Standard schirmer test filter papers located adjacent to seromucinous glands of anterior septum, protruding from nostril anteriorly. Strip was removed by a forceps after 10 minutes of insertion. Moisted area on the strip was measured by milimeters.Results: Out of 200 subjectsbetween 18-45 years of age, 105 (52.5%) were female, 95 (47.5%) were male and mean age was 32.0±7.2. No voluntary complaints of irritation among all subjects. Mean schirmer value of all voluntary was 19±7. Mean schirmer value of females was 19.1±6.6 whereas it was 20.3±7.2 for males. No significance was detected in terms of gender.Conclusions: Nasal dryness and runny nose, which are commonly seen symptoms of many diseases, could be investigated by Schirmer test and the average value for the Turkish population is 19±7.

Keywords

• Schirmer test
• nasal secretion
• nasal dryness
• nasal function
• objective tests