open access
The influence of asthma and COPD exacerbation on exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)
open access
Abstract
Aim of the study: evaluation of changes in FENO in asthma and COPD exacerbation.
Materials and methods: 17 patients with acute asthma and 19 patients with an exacerbation of COPD were enrolled to the study. FENO (chemiluminescence, on-line, restricted breath technique measurement in accordance with the ATS recommendations) was performed for five consecutive days following admission to hospital. Results of the following additional blood investigations: peripheral white blood cell count, ESR, C-reactive protein level, arterial blood gases, spirometry or peak expiratory flow were also analyzed.
Results: The average value of FENO on admission was 41.5 ± 10.7 ppb (95% CI: 18.8 - 64.2 ppb) asthma patients and 28.6 ± 5.4 ppb (95% CI: 17.4 - 40.0 ppb) in COPD patients. In asthma patients a significant decrease of FENO on the third day of therapy was observed (41.5 vs. 26.1 ppb, p < 0.05). We found a positive correlation between FENO on admission and the peripheral blood eosinophil count. In COPD patients a significant decrease of FENOon the 4th day was noted (28.6 vs. 17.5 ppb, p < 0.05). FENO in both groups was higher than that of 19 healthy volunteers previousty studied in oun laboratory (14.1 ± 4.7 ppb; 95%CI: 11.8 ± 16.4 ppb).
Conclusions: Exacerbations of asthma and COPD are associated with an increased FENO. FENO measurement is a useful tool in the assessment of treatment efficacy. Exhaled nitric oxide may indicate the intensity of allergic inflammation in patients with asthma.
Abstract
Aim of the study: evaluation of changes in FENO in asthma and COPD exacerbation.
Materials and methods: 17 patients with acute asthma and 19 patients with an exacerbation of COPD were enrolled to the study. FENO (chemiluminescence, on-line, restricted breath technique measurement in accordance with the ATS recommendations) was performed for five consecutive days following admission to hospital. Results of the following additional blood investigations: peripheral white blood cell count, ESR, C-reactive protein level, arterial blood gases, spirometry or peak expiratory flow were also analyzed.
Results: The average value of FENO on admission was 41.5 ± 10.7 ppb (95% CI: 18.8 - 64.2 ppb) asthma patients and 28.6 ± 5.4 ppb (95% CI: 17.4 - 40.0 ppb) in COPD patients. In asthma patients a significant decrease of FENO on the third day of therapy was observed (41.5 vs. 26.1 ppb, p < 0.05). We found a positive correlation between FENO on admission and the peripheral blood eosinophil count. In COPD patients a significant decrease of FENOon the 4th day was noted (28.6 vs. 17.5 ppb, p < 0.05). FENO in both groups was higher than that of 19 healthy volunteers previousty studied in oun laboratory (14.1 ± 4.7 ppb; 95%CI: 11.8 ± 16.4 ppb).
Conclusions: Exacerbations of asthma and COPD are associated with an increased FENO. FENO measurement is a useful tool in the assessment of treatment efficacy. Exhaled nitric oxide may indicate the intensity of allergic inflammation in patients with asthma.
Keywords
asthma; COPD; exacerbation; nitric oxide


Title
The influence of asthma and COPD exacerbation on exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)
Journal
Advances in Respiratory Medicine
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
181-186
Published online
2008-02-18
Bibliographic record
Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2004;72(5-6):181-186.
Keywords
asthma
COPD
exacerbation
nitric oxide
Authors
Marta Maskey-Warzęchowska
Tadeusz Przybyłowski
Katarzyna Hildebrand
Marta Kumor
Katarzyna Górska
Adam Frangrat
Joanna Kucińska
Justyna Kościuch
Ryszarda Chazan