Takeaway
- Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is not acceptable as a substitute for methacholine challenge test (MCT) in children with suspected asthma.
- However, if a child has a normal FENO and a negative skin prick test (SPT), odds are good that they do not have atopic asthma, these authors say.
Why this matters
- FENO has been proposed for use in adults to substitute for MCT in diagnosing asthma.
Key results
- FENO values were higher in patients with atopic asthma (18; range, 5-89) ppb vs those with nonatopic asthma (7 [range, 5-36] ppb; P<.001) or atopia with no asthma (11 [range, 5-98] ppb; P<.01).
- FENO ≥15.5 ppb sensitivity for atopic asthma was 61.1%; its specificity was 64.9%.
- FENO ≥6.5 ppb sensitivity for nonatopic asthma was 54.1%; specificity was 39.2%.
Study design
- 222 children (134 with atopy per SPT), ages 5-17 years evaluated during a single visit with SPT< FENO, spirometry, and MCT.
- Funding: None disclosed.
Limitations
- Single center, small study, 1 measurement per test made.
References
References
