Nitric oxide in exhaled air as a marker of bronchial asthma control

Background. To study the clinical value of determining NO in exhaled air in patients with bronchial asthma (BA), as well as its role as marker of asthma control and the relationship with other indicators of BA control. Materials and methods. 114 patients with BA (age 18 to 82) have been examined. Clinical and specific allergical surveys, spirometry and bronchial hyperresponsiveness have been performed. The level of NOex has been measured by NIOX MINO device; Aerocrine AB, Sweden. Asthma control determined by using the ACT-test. Results. It was found that NOex in patients with atopic BA statistically was significantly (p=0,0008) higher than in the healthy control group, the same in patients with nonatopic В A (p=0,00419). The existence of statistically significant correlations between the level of NOex and phase of BA, level NOex and spirometry, NOex and the ACT-test for patients with atopic BA was found. Reducing NOex >20% in response to the correction of the asthma therapy is a sign of achieving asthma control, OR=3,18; 0:1,13-8,92.
Conclusion. NOex can be in use as an indicator of control in patients with atopic BA, that statistically significantly correlate with the level of asthma control determined by the doctor (phase of BA), the level of control, determined by the patient (ACT-test), as well as a spirometry (FEV ). NOex is a sensitive marker of response to anti-inflammatory asthma therapy.

bronchial asthma, asthma control, nitric oxide in exhaled air, the ACT-test