Innovation in Nasal Measurement: Are We Doing Enough for Patients?

Not all nasal congestion is nasal obstruction and not all nasal obstruction is nasal congestion. Nasal congestion is a common oc-currence and one of the most common symptoms in practice found among many diagnoses with various epidemiological patterns that is bothersome for patients. It is often described as fullness, or stuffi - ness with reduced airflow related often to a disease state. Such con ditions contributing to congestion could be chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, polyposis, and non-allergic rhinitis. The global variation and prevalence of chronic symptoms and the economic impact on the population has not been studied on a global perspective, but has been considered country by country. Among these considerations, an increase in several countries has been re-corded, with a more pronounced prevalence in low to mid-income countries. If we look at an example of the epidemiology of a specific disease state where nasal congestion and/or obstruction is present, allergic rhinitis affects one quarter of the world population adverse-lyimpairing the quality of life, productive work hours, and sleep. In the United States, an estimated 20 million Americans are affected by nasal obstruction, and tens of millions of Americans affected by rhi- nosinusitis burdening the healthcare system with a cost of $6 billion in healthcare expenditures and one of the costliest physical condi- tions for healthcare employers. Given the high prevalence of rhinologic disease, to include nasal obstruction and congestion, and the burden of social and economic costs, there continues to be an unmet need in for effective treatment options nationally and globally. Are we doing enough by omitting objective, innovative advancements in nasal measurements to treat patients?