ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the treatment response of adult asthmatic patients. Methods64 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. ResultsThe 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. ConclusionThe 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.
Objective To investigate the control level in asthmatic patients who were members of asthma association in the People’s Hospital of Peking university.Methods 76 asthmatic patients attended the Third Meeting of asthma association and asthma test was conducted.The patients self-evaluated the state of illness，filled the questionnaire of asthma control test（ACT） while peak expiratory flow（PEF） was measured.The steroids usage was also investigated.Results The average age of the patient investigated was（60.6±11.5）year old.The percentage of well control by self-evaluation was 89.5%（62/76）；75%（48/64） by ACT questionairs.50.8%（31/61）of the patients fell in green region and 36.1%（22/61）fell in yellow region of PEF.The coincidence rate of self-evaluation with ACT was 40.6%.ACT scores comparable to green region，yellow region and red region were 21.33±3.44，21.12±3.24 and 17.43±4.47 respectively.There were no significant difference of ACT score between green region group and yellow region group，or yellow region group and red region group.Conclusions Most of asthma association members could achieved well control which could be ascribed to asthma education and management program on the basis of partner relationship between doctors and patients.
Objective To study the effects of anxious condition on asthma symptom burden and asthma control in elderly asthma patients in primary care settings. Methods Totally 128 elderly asthma patients were recruited in this study. The patients were required to fill in the questionnaire，then the score of asthma control test （ACT） and Hamilton anxious meter（HAMA） were calculated. Risk factors of anxious condition were analyzed by logistic analysis. Results The ACT scores in the anxious patients were significantly lower than those of the non-anxious patients [17.45±3.14 vs. 21.45±2.37，Plt;0.05）. The patients with lower incoming and more complications had more severe anxious condition，lower asthma control level，and more asthmatic medications. Meanwhile the latter conditions also increased the incidence of anxiety in the elderly asthma patients significantly （Plt;0.05）. Conclusions The elderly asthma patients in primary care settings are also complicated with anxiety，and the anxious condition can significantly increase asthma symptom burden and decrease asthma control level.