| Accession Number | <strong>00130478-200401000-00011</strong>. |
|---|---|
| Author | Delgado-Corcoran, Claudia MD, MPH, FAAP; Kissoon, Niranjan MD, CPE, FAAP, FCCM, FRCPC; Murphy, Suzanne P. PhD; Duckworth, Laurie J. RN, BSN, CCRC |
| Institution | From the University of Florida Health Sciences Center at Jacksonville (CDC, NK) and Nemours Children's Clinic (SPM, LJD), Jacksonville, FL. |
| Title | |
| Source | Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 5(1):48-52, January 2004. |
| Abstract | Introduction: This study was undertaken to a) evaluate whether exhaled nitric oxide (fraction of exhaled nitric oxide [Feno]) levels are reflective of asthma severity in concordance with the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program categorization and b) determine the usefulness of Feno using the single-breath exhalation technique for monitoring asthma control and compliance with steroid treatment. Methods: Thirty patients with asthma (7-17 yrs old; 14 males and 16 females) that was mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 17), or severe (n = 5) were included in the study. Fifteen patients were seen on more than one occasion for a total of 53 visits. Information obtained at each visit included asthma symptoms, [beta]-agonists and corticosteroids use, compliance to steroids, and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (Fev1) and Feno measurements. Asthma control was judged by a pulmonologist based on overall evaluation of symptoms, Fev1 measurements, and the frequency of [beta]-agonists use at each visit. Results: The mean +/- sd Feno was significantly different in the mild, moderate, and severe asthma categories (30 +/- 12, 65 +/- 48, 104 +/- 68, respectively; F2,52 = 6.02 p = .005). Feno was significantly correlated with asthma severity (r = .44, p = .001), compliance (r = -.75, p = .001), and control (r = -.51, p = .001). There were no statistically significant differences between asthma severity and compliance or Fev1. Discussion: Our data suggest that a) Feno may be a practical tool to evaluate asthma severity and asthma control over time and b) Feno may be used as a marker of compliance with steroids even when Fev1 has not decreased significantly. (C)2004The Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies |