Different Relationships between FENO and COPD Characteristics in Smokers and Ex-Smokers.

Different Relationships between FENO and COPD Characteristics in Smokers and Ex-Smokers. COPD. 2019 Jul 29;:1-7 Authors: Högman M, Thornadtsson A, Bröms K, Janson C, Lisspers K, Ställberg B, Hedenström H, Malinovschi A Abstract Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a marker of type-2 inflammation in asthma and is used in its management. However, smokers and ex-smokers have lower FENO values, and the clinical use of FENO values in COPD patients is unclear. Therefore, we investigated if FENO had a relationship to different COPD characteristics in smoking and ex-smoking subjects. Patients with COPD (n = 533, 58% females) were investigated while in stable condition. Measurements of FENO50, blood cell counts, IgE sensitisation and lung function were performed. Medication reconciliation was used to establish medication usage. Smokers (n = 150) had lower FENO50 9 (8, 10) ppb (geometric mean, 95% confidence interval) than ex-smokers did (n = 383) 15 (14, 16) ppb, p < 0.001. FENO50 was not associated with blood eosinophil or neutrophil levels in smokers, but in ex-smokers significant associations were found (r = 0.23, p < 0.001) and (r = -0.18, p = 0.001), respectively. Lower FENO values were associated with lower FEV1% predicted in both smokers (r = 0.17, p = 0.040) and ex-smokers (r = 0.20, p < 0.001). Neither the smokers nor ex-smokers with reported asthma or IgE sensitisation were linked t...
Source: COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: COPD Source Type: research