Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide measurements in the diagnoses of asthma in elderly patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements in the diagnosis of asthma in elderly patients.


METHODS
The clinical symptoms of 202 elderly patients were assessed with the asthma module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood test, which had been modified for the elderly patients, and the diagnostic routine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was based on the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Of the 202 patients assessed, 43 were subjected to pulmonary function evaluations (spirometry) and FeNO measurements.


RESULTS
Of the 202 elderly patients, 34 had asthma (23 definite and eleven probable), 20 met COPD criteria, 13 presented with an overlap of asthma and COPD, and 135 did not fit the criteria for obstructive pulmonary disease. Among the 43 elderly patients who were subjected to FeNO measurements, ten showed altered results (23.2%) and 33 had normal results (76.7%). The average value of FeNO in patients with definite and probable asthma undergoing this procedure was 29.2 parts per billion whereas that in nonasthmatic patients was 17.5 parts per billion (P=0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
We show a clear relationship between FeNO levels and asthma symptoms and previous asthma diagnoses in elderly patients.
School of Medical and Health Sciences - SUPREMA, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Maternity Hospital Terezinha de Jesus, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Antonio Carlos Maneira
AC
Godinho Netto
School of Medical and Health Sciences - SUPREMA, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Maternity Hospital Terezinha de Jesus, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Túlio Gonçalves
TG
Dos Reis
School of Medical and Health Sciences - SUPREMA, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Maternity Hospital Terezinha de Jesus, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Cássia Franco
CF
Matheus
Morphology Department, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunopathology and Experimental Pathology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Reproductive Biology Center (CBR), Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Beatriz Julião Vieira
BJ
Aarestrup
School of Medical and Health Sciences - SUPREMA, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Maternity Hospital Terezinha de Jesus, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Institute of Biological Sciences, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Laboratory of Immunopathology and Experimental Pathology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Reproductive Biology Center (CBR), Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
Fernando Monteiro
FM
Aarestrup
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001944:Breath Tests; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013147:Spirometry
D009569:Nitric Oxide
asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; elderly patients; nitric oxide