Correlation of absolute eosinophil count and nasal smear eosinophils with severity of clinical score and its outcome in patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Background: newlineThe link between eosinophils and allergic disease is well documented. Eosinophils in nasal smears may potentially serve as a helpful diagnostic indicator for persistent or recurrent AR. The relationship between AEC and NSE and the severity of AR, however, is still not known. This investigation was carried out to ascertain the association between blood AEC and NSE with symptoms and clinical severity score in cases with AR. newlineMethodology: newlineA cross-sectional research was conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology at CHRI among patients attending ENT outpatient department with history of AR during November 2020 to January 2022. A total of sixty participants with AR were added in the study and all were included in the post treatment assessment. This research received ethical committee clearance by the IHEC. AEC and nasal smear eosinophils were done for all patients. Following which patients were treated for allergic rhinitis with steroid nasal spray, Antihistamines, Leukotriene receptor. During these follow up visits patients were again assessed using a questionnaire during each visit and subsiding of symptoms and clinical severity score were analyzed at each visit and at the 12th week. The SPSS - Version 19 was used to evaluate the data. newlineResults: newlineIn the present research majority were below 30 years of age with female predominance. Seasonal factor was the most common risk factor and positive family history was noted in most of the participants. AEC was found to be elevated in 93.3% of cases and NSE was recorded to be rare in 11.7% of cases, mild in 25% of cases, moderate in 43.3% of cases and severe in 20% of cases. The association between ARIA severity of AR and AEC and NSE were found to be significant. newlineAfter treatment AEC after treatment was found to be elevated in21.7% of cases and NSE after treatment was recorded to be rare in 53.3% of cases, mild in 28.3% of cases, moderate in 13.3% of cases and severe in 5% of cases. The association between ARIA severity of AR and AEC and NSE after treatment was found to be significant. Also the proportion of cases with abnormal AEC and NSE were significantly reduced after treatment. newlineConclusion: newlineWe conclude that AEC and NSE can be considered as an indirect parameter to assess the severity of AR both before and after the treatment. newlineKey words: newlineAbsolute eosinophil count, nasal smear, allergic rhinitis newline