Evaluation of exhaled nitric oxide measurements in the emergency department for patients with acute asthma.
BACKGROUND
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) measurements performed on patients with acute asthma in the emergency department (ED) have previously shown poor reproducibility.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reproducibility of FE(NO) measurements in the ED using a new monitoring device, to evaluate any factors that may correlate with FE(NO) measurements, and to investigate if FE(NO) levels predict the need for admission to the hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-five adult patients with asthma seen in the ED performed FE(NO), forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and peak expiratory flow rate maneuvers in triplicate. Reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the coefficient of variation. Associations between FE(NO), demographic, and traditional asthma measurements were investigated. The FE(NO) levels between patients admitted for further care and those discharged home were compared.


RESULTS
The FE(NO) measurements showed acceptable intraclass correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation values (0.98 and 9.42%, respectively) for reproducibility. These values were superior to the values obtained for forced expiratory volume in 1 second and peak expiratory flow rate. No correlation was found between FE(NO) and traditional asthma factors, although length of the asthma attack trended toward statistical significance (P = .08). The FE(NO) levels did not differ between those admitted and those discharged home (P = .53).


CONCLUSIONS
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide measurements can be obtained in the ED setting with good reproducibility. These measurements may provide useful information not obtainable by other means. Further research is needed to determine how best to incorporate FE(NO) values into the ED setting.
Baptist
Alan P
AP
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA. abaptist@med.umich.edu
Sengupta
Radha
R
Pranathiageswaran
Sukanya
S
Wang
Yun
Y
Ager
Joel
J
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D015415:Biomarkers; D009569:Nitric Oxide