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Study Papers | Medical Science | India | Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023 | Rating: 5.2 / 10
Study of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Acute Exacerbation
Dr. Madhurima A. S. | Dr. Priti Meshram | Dr. Vishwanath Pujari [2] | Dr. Rohit Hegde
Abstract: Context and Background: FeNO helps in detection and monitoring of eosinophilic airway inflammation, determining the likelihood of corticosteroid responsiveness and the potential need for the same in treatment. The role in asthma, where increased FeNO reflects eosinophilic mediated inflammatory pathways in central and/or peripheral airway sites and implies increased inhaled and systemic corticosteroid responsiveness has been extensively studied. COPD being a non-eosinophilic inflammatory condition, steroids are considered to have minimal role in the management of stable disease. The aim of this study is to determine whether FeNO rises in an acute exacerbation of COPD and the demographic characteristics related to the same. Methods: A total of 100 COPD patients in exacerbation who were able to perform FeNO were evaluated with detailed history and physical examination, complete and differential blood count and spirometry. Patients? FeNO was measured after admission using a portable hand-held machine called NO-BREATH in the sitting position. Those patients with active tuberculosis or other significant comorbidities and unable to perform FeNO were excluded along with those on immunosuppressants. Results: With mean age of 58.5 years, 68% patients of the study population had insignificant FENO levels (less than 25 ppb), 31% between 25-50ppb (indeterminate levels) and only 1 patient above 50 ppb. 92% patients had normal blood eosinophils and 73% had raised blood neutrophils. Smoking was the most common risk factor (97%) with a mean smoking index -436.4. Conclusion: Most patients of COPD exacerbation in this study had insignificant FENO levels. Smoking in males and exposure to noxious stimulants in females was the commonest risk factor for COPD.
Keywords: FeNO, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, Eosinophils, ACOS
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023,
Pages: 1524 - 1528