Abstract
Introduction. FENO is actually used as a biomarker of airway inflammation in asthma. The measurement of FENO is a feasibility test for diagnosis and treatment of children with asthma.
Objectives. To evaluate the correlations between FENO and atopic status, blood eosinophil levels, FCER2 mutation, and asthma control.
Methods. It was a prospective and descriptive study. Children with uncontrolled asthma, presented in National Hospital of Paediatrics, were included after IRB approval. FENO, blood eosinophils, skin prick test, total IgE, and FECR2 gene polymorphism were performed. They were followed up for 3 months.
Result. 42 uncontrolled asthma (male/female: 2.5/1) with mean age of 10±3 years (6-16 years) were included. FENO levels were 26±15 ppb and higher in patients with positive skin test (p<0.05). FENO was correlated with blood eosinophils (r=0.5217; P=0.0004). There was 15.6% of patients having mutation of FCER-2 gene (rs28364072 SNP). In this group, the levels of FENO were highest (37±10 ppb; p<0.05). FENO levels were decreased after 3 months of treatment (17±8ppb vs 26±15ppb; p<0.05) and associated with the correlations between ICS doses and FENO at 1st and 3th month (r=0.415, P=0.007; r=0.396, P=0.010; respectively). There was no correlation between FENO and ACT (asthma control test) and use of short acting beta agonist. 22.2% of asthma children was remained uncontrolled after 3 months.
Conclusion. The measurement of FENO levels is a useful and feasible tool to predict clinical, biological, and asthma control in Vietnamese children. However, its role in long term follow-up of children with asthma in developing countries should be clarified.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
