Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2013 May;5(3):155-161. 10.4168/aair.2013.5.3.155.

Relationships Between Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Atopy Profiles in Children With Asthma

• Jang WN
• Park IS
• Choi CH
• Bauer S
• Harmin S
• Seo SC
• Choi IS
• Choung JT
• Yoo Y

• KMID: 2260335
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2013.5.3.155

Abstract

PURPOSE
We examined whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels are associated with atopy profiles in terms of mono-sensitization and poly-sensitization in asthmatic children.
METHODS
A total of 119 children underwent an assessment that included FeNO measurements, spirometry, methacholine challenge, and measurement of blood eosinophil count, serum total IgE, and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). We also examined sensitization to five classes of aeroallergens (house dust mites, animal danders, pollens, molds, and cockroach) using skin prick testing. The children were divided into three groups according to their sensitization profiles to these aeroallergens (non-sensitized, mono-sensitized, and poly-sensitized).
RESULTS
The geometric means (range of 1 SD) of FeNO were significantly different between the three groups (non-sensitized, 18.6 ppb [10.0-34.7 ppb]; mono-sensitized, 28.8 ppb [16.6-50.1 ppb]; and poly-sensitized, 44.7 ppb [24.5-81.3 ppb], P=0.001). FeNO levels were correlated with serum total IgE concentrations, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and serum ECP levels to different degrees.
CONCLUSIONS
FeNO levels vary according to the profile of atopy, as determined by positive skin prick test results to various classes of aeroallergens. FeNO is also moderately correlated with serum total IgE, blood eosinophilia, and serum ECP. These results suggest that poly-sensitized asthmatic children may have the highest risk of airway inflammation.

Keyword

Atopy; asthma; child; fractional exhaled nitric oxide; mono-sensitization; poly-sensitization

MeSH Terms

Animals
Asthma
Child
Dust
Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils
Fungi
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Methacholine Chloride
Mites
Nitric Oxide
Pollen
Skin
Spirometry
Dust
Eosinophil Cationic Protein
Immunoglobulin E
Methacholine Chloride
Nitric Oxide

Figure

• 

  Figure Mean and percentile (10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th) distributions of FeNO in non-sensitized, mono-sensitized, and poly-sensitized asthma groups.

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