title: [The effect of asthma and COPD exacerbation on exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO))].
abstract: Exhaled nitric oxide is a marker of airway inflammation and it is significantly decreased by glucocorticosteroid therapy, especially in patients with asthma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of changes in FE(NO) in asthma and COPD exacerbation.
  
  
  METHODS
  17 patients with acute asthma and 19 patients with an exacerbation of COPD were enrolled to the study. FE(NO) (chemiluminescence, on-line, restricted breath technique measurement in accordance with the ATS recommendations) was performed for five consecutive days following admission to hospital. Results of the following additional blood investigations: peripheral white blood cell count, ESR, C-reactive protein level, arterial blood gases, spirometry or peak expiratory flow were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average value of FE(NO) on admission was 41.5+/-10.7 ppb (95% CI: 18.8-64.2 ppb) asthma patients and 28.6+/-5.4 ppb (95% CI: 17.4-40.0 ppb) in COPD patients. In asthma patients a significant decrease of FE(NO) on the third day of therapy was observed (41.5 vs 26.1 ppb, p < 0.05). We found a positive correlation between FE(NO) on admission and the peripheral blood eosinophil count. In COPD patients a significant decrease of FE(NO) on the 4th day was noted (28.6 vs 17.5 ppb, p < 0.05). FE(NO) in both groups was higher than that of 19 healthy volunteers previously studied in our laboratory (14.1+/-4.7 ppb; 95% CI: 11.8+/-16.4 ppb).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exacerbations of asthma and COPD are associated with an increased FE(NO). FE(NO) measurement is a useful tool in the assessment of treatment efficacy. Exhaled nitric oxide may indicate the intensity of allergic inflammation in patients with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii, AM w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maskey-Warzechowska
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Przybyłowski
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumor
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Górska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fangrat
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kucińska
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kościuch
authors.forename: Ryszarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chazan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide