The study of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in newly diagnosed cases of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a measurement of fractional nitric oxide (NO) concentration in exhaled breath. It is a quantitative, noninvasive, simple, and safe method to measure airway inflammation for the assessment of airways diseases. OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted at the tertiary care hospital to study the FENO levels in newly diagnosed patients of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 105 patients were included in the study, diagnosed based on pulmonary function test and symptomatology. FENO levels were measured using Medisoft FENO machine, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We found that both COPD and bronchial asthma are more prevalent among males. FENO levels were higher in bronchial asthma patients as compared to COPD patients. In bronchial asthma, FENO levels were higher in patients with very severe obstruction, and in COPD, patients with mild obstruction had slightly higher FENO values.