Objective To explore the predictive value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the treatment response of adult asthmatic patients. Methods 64 adult outpatients with asthma from Peking Union Hospital between March and September 2013 were recruited in the study. All patients completed asthma control test (ACT) together with exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and pulmonary function test. Then the patients were classified into a higher FeNO group (n=33) and a normal FeNO group (n=31) according to FeNO level. All patients accepted regular inhaled ICS/LABA treatment (salmeterol and fluticasone 50/250). Three months later all patients reaccepted ACT,FeNO and pulmonary function test. Results The ACT score increased in all patients,and was significantly higher in the higher FeNO group than that in the normal FeNO group[22.07±5.49 vs. 19.23±5.48,t=2.893,P<0.05]. The complete control rate of the higher FeNO group was higher than that in the normal FeNO group (42.42% vs. 19.35%,χ²=3.960,P<0.05). The FEV₁ and FEV₁%pred of two groups both increased significantly (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that FeNO and the declined rate of FeNO was negatively correlated with the ACT score(r=-0.302,P<0.05;r=0.674,P<0.01) and positively correlated with the improvement of ACT score (r=0.514,P<0.01;r=0.674,P<0.01). No significant correlation was found between FeNO and FEV₁ or FEV₁%pred. Conclusion The effect of ICS/LABA therapy is better for asthma patients with higher FeNO. FeNO can be used for predicting the response to ICS/LABA therapy in patients with asthma and guiding the treatment.

Citation： Liu Xia, Xu Wenbing, Liu Yanan, Zhao Yang, Meng Shuzhen. The Predictive Value of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in the Treatment Response of Adult Asthmatic Patients. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2013, 12(2): 120-124. doi: 10.7507/1671-6205.2014031 Copy