[Lack of correlation between exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and clinical indicators of the disease activity and quality of life in mild and moderate asthmatics].
The measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) are simple and useful method of assessment of inflammation in asthmatics' airways. One of the causes of its limited application in clinical practice is a number of factors influencing the results of measurements. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of eNO measurements in assessing the inflammation in a heterogeneous, in relation to atopic and smoking status, group of patients.


METHODS
120 subjects suspected of having asthma participated in this study. During 2 weeks the patients noted daily asthma symptoms and daily use of rescue medication. After 14 days health related quality of life (HRQL) was determined by means of Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), eNO levels were measured and airways reversibility test was performed.


RESULTS
Preliminary diagnosis of asthma was confirmed in 84 patients on the basis of positive result of airways reversibility test. Among them, 21 subjects (25%) were smokers and 60 (71.4%) were atopic. No correlation was found between eNO and daily asthma symptom score, daily use of rescue medication, percent of airway reversibility after beta2-agonist and HRQL.


CONCLUSIONS
eNO measurements in a heterogeneous, in relation to atopic and smoking status, group of patients are of limited value in clinical assessment of asthma activity.
Tworek
Damian
D
Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Astmy i Alergii, Łodzi, Poland.
Bocheńska-Marciniak
Małgorzata
M
Kupczyk
Maciej
M
Kupryś-Lipińska
Izabela
I
Kuna
Piotr
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide