title: Spirometric maneuvers and inhaled salbutamol do not affect exhaled nitric oxide measurements among patients with allergic asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exhaled nitric oxide (ENO) is used as a marker of airway inflammation. Factors such as spirometric maneuvers (SPM), β(2)-agonists, or tobacco smoking have been postulated to affect ENO measurements. Guidelines on measurement techniques have been published based on expert opinions. Nevertheless, there is no strong clinical evidence of many aspects because they have not been supported by research data.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of performing a spirometry or receiving inhaled salbutamol on ENO readings.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-five adults and 62 children with allergic asthma were included with a mean age of 36 ± 13 years for adults and 13 ± 2 years for children. A control group comprised 30 healthy adults and 30 children with a mean age of 37 ± 14 years and 13 ± 2 years, respectively. ENO measurements were performed with a NIOX-MINO® electrochemical device. In 179 patients ENO was measured before and after performing SPM and in 88 patients before and 15 min after SPM plus 2 puffs of salbutamol (100 μg/puff).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in mean ENO levels before and after SPM or before and after SPM plus 2 puffs of inhaled salbutamol in adults or children (asthmatic or healthy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levels of ENO are not significantly affected by SPM or salbutamol inhalation.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. teresagarriga@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Garriga
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labrador-Horrillo
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guillén
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Luengo
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Eseverri
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guilarte
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Victòria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cardona
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism*; D001944:Breath Tests; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000420:Albuterol