title: Exhaled nitric oxide measurement in patients affected by nasal polyposis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in the respiratory tract with a major contribution coming from paranasal sinuses and the nose. The pathophysiological role of NO in the airways has been debated. The aims of this study were to measure fraction of exhaled NO (FENO), a validated marker of airway inflammation, in patients affected by nasal polyposis with and without asthma; to assess the importance of FENO measurement in detecting subclinical involvement of lower airways in patients with clinical rhinosinusal symptoms; and to clarify the impact of endoscopic surgical removal of polyps on airway inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the O.R.L. Clinic and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University Hospital Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concentrations of FENO were measured with the NIOX system (Aerocrine, Stockholm, Sweden) by using a single-breath online method, according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with those in healthy subjects (15 [11-19] ppb, n = 15; P < .0001), FENO values were elevated in patients with nasal polyposis (41 [21-77] ppb, n = 43). There was no significant difference in FENO concentrations between asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients with nasal polyposis (P = .73). Concentrations of FENO in patients with nasal polyposis were decreased after surgery (64.2 [30.0-132.7] ppb vs 56.0 [26.4-73.8] ppb, respectively; P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fraction of exhaled NO is elevated in the inflammatory process involving both the rhinosinusal district and lower airways, supporting the one-airway disease hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: ENT Institute, Catholic University of Sacred Heart Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montuschi
authors.forename: Giulio Cesare
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Passàli
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laruffa
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parrilla
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paludetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide