title: [Role of exhaled nitric oxide in predicting steroid response in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
abstract: Exhaled nitric oxide is the most extensively studied exhaled biomarker. In patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exhaled nitric oxide level appears to be normal or only slightly elevated. As exhaled nitric oxide is a good surrogate marker for eosinophilic airway inflammation and eosinophilic inflammation is steroid responsive, patients with elevated exhaled nitric oxide levels may benefit more from a short course of inhaled or systemic corticosteroid treatment. In acute exacerbation most studies report elevated exhaled nitric oxide levels that decrease along with treatment. More importantly, exhaled nitric oxide levels at exacerbation correlate with functional improvements after treatment suggesting the possibility of a role for exhaled nitric oxide in predicting the response to treatment. In conclusion, assessment of airway inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide may identify a subgroup of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is likely to benefit from corticosteroid treatment.
authors.affiliation: Országos Korányi Tbc és Pulmonológiai Intézet Kórélettani Osztály Budapest Pihenő út 1. 1529. antusb@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Balázs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antus
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004804:Eosinophils; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015415:Biomarkers; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III