Abstract

DOES BODY MASS INDEX INFLUENCE NASAL MUCOCILIARY CLEARANCE?

Background: The respiratory system is constantly exposed to particulate matter suspended in the inhaled air and one among the efficient mechanisms to trap and expel the particulate substances is the nasal and bronchial mucociliary clearance mechanism. This mucociliary clearance mechanism is influenced by both physiological and pathological factors that alter the functioning of the respiratory cilia and the overlying mucosal layer that traps the particulate agents. As Body mass index (BMI) determines the health of a person by influencing various physiological parameters, this study has been planned to study the effect of normal and abnormal BMI (overweight and obese range) on the nasal mucociliaryclearance (NMC). Aim: To evaluate the effect of BMI on nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC). Materials &Methods: NMC was measured in 20 volunteers with normal BMI (18.5-22.9 Kg/m2) and 20 volunteers with BMI in overweight and obese range (23 Kg/m2 and above). The NMC time was recorded by the time the volunteers appreciated the sweet taste following the placement of ¼ of saccharin tablet (1mm x 1mm) in the nostril referred as saccharin transit time(STT).Results: NMC was found to be prolonged in overweight and obese population and BMI has positive correlation with NMC as calculated by Pearson correlation with r value of 0.591 and p value 0.001 which is statistically significant. Conclusion:NMC time is prolonged in abnormal BMI referring to the impairment in the mucociliary escalator mechanism thus predisposing to disease states.

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