Methods:
Criteria for Inclusion: Children between 5-10 years were enrolled if they currently
had symptoms of asthma The parents scored the items of the quality of life
Questionnaire (PAQLQ).
A hand held Analyzer was used to determine the FeNO in the breath.
Interpretation of the test was as follow: low=<5, normal 5-20, intermediate=20-35,
And significant inflammation=>35) parts per billion
Results:
The mean FeNo levels of the asthmatics was significantly higher (p=,<.00.5).
(ppb=37.8;SEM=4.3) than controls (ppb=25.6;SEM=2.2).
The positive and the negative predicted value of the test were 89.4%
(sensitivity=83%) and 58.7% (specificity=75%)respectively.
Two groups were discernible: Group A; FeNO > 30 and Group B: FeNO< 30 ppb. The ratio of average value of the 2 groups were compared for the symptoms:
as follows: Breathlessness= 2.7, Wheezing= 1.3, Nocturnal Cough= 1.2, cough during play / crying=2.0, coughs a lot=1.1 and dust 1.1. Group A had significantly more breathlessness, Cry-Play-Cough and Nocturnal cough than Group B as
confirmed by tests of significance and t-values as follows: Breathlessness 99.9%
Cry-Play-Cough=97.2%, Nocturnal cough:72.8% and t-values: reathlessness=4.40. Cry-Play-Cough=2.36, Nocturnal Cough: 1.13’
Conclusions:
FeNO levels can diagnose asthma and can be for follow up of asthma