title: [The role of measurement of exhaled nitric oxide in asthma patients].
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate exhaled nitric oxide levels (F(ENO)) in asthmatics and to establish the possible correlation of these measurements with clinical symptoms, disease severity, anti-inflammatory treatment and spirometric indices. The measurement of exhaled NO was performed using NO analyser model 280i, Sievers Instruments, Inc., USA. This measurement was based on the gas phase chemiluminescence reaction between NO and ozone. The investigations were performed on the group of 85 asthmatic patients (34 with chronic mild asthma, 31 with chronic moderate asthma, 20 with chronic severe asthma). F(ENO) level in healthy, non-smoking volunteers (46 persons--control group) was mean 12.9 +/- 4.6 ppB and it was statistically significant lower than in all groups of asthmatics. The highest F(ENO) levels were observed in patients with severe asthma (74 +/- 72 ppB). Statistically significant lower levels of ENO were obtained in patients with moderate (42 +/- 31 ppB) and mild asthma (49 +/- 43 ppB). In all groups of asthmatic patients higher levels of F(ENO) were observed in subjects with allergic asthma. In patients with mild and moderate asthma ENO levels were negatively correlated with the used dosage of inhaled steroids. Similar dependences were not noticed in patients with severe asthma. The measurement of exhaled nitric oxide levels provides a rapid, reproducible, non-invasive and reliable test, which is very useful in diagnosis and treatment monitoring in asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Alergologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych, Samodzielnego Publicznego Szpitala, Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku. z.zietkowski@wp.pl
authors.forename: Ziemowit
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zietkowski
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bodzenta-Lukaszyk
authors.forename: Maria Magdalena
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tomasiak
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skiepko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011044:Poland; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D009569:Nitric Oxide