Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and atopy in Asian young adults

• Published in: Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Vic.), 2005-01, Vol.10 (1), p.40-45
• Main Authors: CHNG, Seo Yi, VAN BEVER, Hugo P, LIAN, Derrick, LEE, Shan Xian, XU, Xin Ni, WANG, Xiao Shan, GOH, Daniel Yam Thiam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens; Asian; asthma; Asthma - metabolism; atopy; Exhalation - physiology; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - metabolism; Intradermal Tests; Male; nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - analysis; rhinitis; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - metabolism; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - metabolism; Singapore; Spirometry - methods
• ISSN: 1323-7799; 1440-1843
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2005.00628.x

Objectives:  The relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and atopy is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and atopy in Asian young adults. Methodology:  Subjects were assessed by: (i) the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to differentiate asthmatic from nonasthmatic and rhinitis from non‐rhinitis subjects; (ii) skin prick testing to 10 allergens; and (iii) FENO measurements performed online at a flow rate of 50 mL/s. Results:  Complete results were available for 84 subjects. FENO values were highest in atopic asthmatics (n = 34; median FENO, 59.8 p.p.b.; interquartile range, 30.4–85.5 p.p.b), followed by atopic nonasthmatics (n = 34; median, 38.4 p.p.b.; range, 16.7–49.3 p.p.b), nonatopic asthmatics (n = 5; median, 19.1 p.p.b.; range, 17.9–33.4 p.p.b), and lowest in nonatopic nonasthmatics (n = 11; median, 15.7 p.p.b.; range, 11.5–21.7 p.p.b). FENO values were significantly higher in atopic (n = 68; median, 44.7 p.p.b.; range, 27.3–75.2 p.p.b) compared to nonatopic subjects (n = 16; median, 17.0 p.p.b.; range, 11.7–23.8 p.p.b.; P