Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nasal mucociliary clearance time (NMCT), degree of smoking dependence, cumulative smoking burden and OSAS severity in smokers.
Material and methods: 123 patients (Group 1) with OSAS and 92 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. Group 1 was divided into smokers (Group 1a) and non-smokers (Group 1b). In Group 1a, cumulative smoking burden and Fagerström nicotine dependence test (FNDT) were questioned. Saccharin test was applied to Groups 1 and 2. Student-t, Mann-Whitney-U, Anova, Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the means.
Results: NMCT was higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.005). The duration of NMCT was higher in Group 1A than Group 1B (p = 0.002). In Group 1a, NMCT values of mild and moderate OSAS patients were longer than in Group 1b (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). NMCT values of patients with mild dependence were shorter than those with moderate or severe dependence (p = 0.032, p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: Mucociliary clearance time was higher in smokers with OSAS than non-smokers. While OSAS has a negative effect on mucociliary clearance, smoking also exacerbates the condition.
Keywords: nasal mucociliary clearance time; obstructive sleep apnea; saccharine test; smoking.