[Lack of correlation between exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and clinical indicators of the disease activity and quality of life in mild and moderate asthmatics].

UNLABELLED

The measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) are simple and useful method of assessment of inflammation in asthmatics' airways. One of the causes of its limited application in clinical practice is a number of factors influencing the results of measurements. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of eNO measurements in assessing the inflammation in a heterogeneous, in relation to atopic and smoking status, group of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

120 subjects suspected of having asthma participated in this study. During 2 weeks the patients noted daily asthma symptoms and daily use of rescue medication. After 14 days health related quality of life (HRQL) was determined by means of Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), eNO levels were measured and airways reversibility test was performed.

RESULTS

Preliminary diagnosis of asthma was confirmed in 84 patients on the basis of positive result of airways reversibility test. Among them, 21 subjects (25%) were smokers and 60 (71.4%) were atopic. No correlation was found between eNO and daily asthma symptom score, daily use of rescue medication, percent of airway reversibility after beta2-agonist and HRQL.

CONCLUSION

eNO measurements in a heterogeneous, in relation to atopic and smoking status, group of patients are of limited value in clinical assessment of asthma activity.