Effects of oxymetazoline on nasal flow and maximum aerobic exercise performance in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To determine the effect of topical intranasal oxymetazoline on nasal resistance and aerobic exercise performance in patients with nasal congestion caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN Individual randomized controlled trial. METHODS Eight patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy performed a set of exercise tests to exhaustion 1 week apart. They were given oxymetazoline or a placebo before each of the two test sessions according to a random pattern. Changes in nasal airflow were measured as peak nasal flow and ventilatory efficiency parameters, ventilatory equivalents, end-expiratory pressure, oxygen consumption, cardiac efficiency, rate of perceived exertion, and maximal and submaximal mechanical power. RESULTS Ten minutes after use of the drug or placebo, improvements in maximum nasal airflow were seen in the oxymetazoline group (P < 0.05). However, exercise tests showed improvements in both groups (P < 0.05). After exertion, there was no difference between the two groups in maximum nasal airflow (P > 0.05). There were no differences between groups in oxygen consumption, rate of perceived exertion, respiratory exchange ratio, ventilation, or ventilatory equivalents for oxygen. CONCLUSION Oxymetazoline increased nasal airflow in patients with turbinate hypertrophy, but this change did not translate into gains in physical exercise parameters or perceived exertion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1b.