Association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) cutoff values (25 ppb) and risk factors of cough

Clin Respir J. 2018 Jan;12(1):193-199. doi: 10.1111/crj.12512. Epub 2016 Jun 22.

Abstract

Introduction: Cough is among the most common symptoms for patients to seek medical attention.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) cutoff values (25 ppb) and risk factors related to cough, hoping to evaluate the feasibility of the FeNO cut point values (25 ppb) for clinical prediction of cough in etiology.

Methods: In 107 adult patients with acute, subacute, or chronic cough, the FeNO, forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), blood routine (white blood cell and neutrophil), immunoglobulin E (IgE), lymphocyte eosinophils, and hemoglobin were measured. The Student's t-test was used to test the differences of FeNO levels compared with FEV1/FVC, lymphocyte, and hemoglobin level. For evaluating the correlation of FeNO levels with IgE, eosinophil, blood routine, pulmonary infection, and smoking status, the chi-square test was performed.

Results: FeNO cutoff value (25 ppb) significantly correlated with serum IgE (P < .0001) between ≥200 IU/mL and <200 IU/mL level, eosinophil (P = .039) between ≥5% and <5% level, lymphocyte percentage (P = .032) and the ratio of FEV1/FVC (P = .032), while weakly correlated with pulmonary infection, blood routine (white blood cell and neutrophil), hemoglobin, and smoking.

Conclusion: The cutoff values of FeNO (≥25 ppb or <25 ppb) are useful for etiological detection of cough with high sensitivity.

Keywords: clinical diagnose; cough; cutoff values; fractional exhaled nitric oxide.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breath Tests
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cough / diagnosis
  • Cough / etiology*
  • Cough / physiopathology
  • Exhalation / physiology*
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis*
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Vital Capacity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide