Diagnostic utility of measuring both fractional exhaled nitric oxide and sputum eosinophils simultaneously in bronchial asthma
Mitsuyoshi Utsugia Hiroshi Iwashitab Shinichi Matsuzakic Shou Ohsawaa Akihiro Onoa
aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kiryu Kosei General Hospital
bDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Maebashi Hospital
cDepartment of Internal Medicine, Tatebayashi Kosei General Hospital
We investigated whether simultaneous measurements of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils, which are noninvasive tests for the diagnosis of bronchial asthma, contribute to improving diagnostic accuracy in bronchial asthma. We retrospectively analyzed 104 patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Among 104 patients, 66 cases (sensitivity 63%) were positive for FeNO levels at 22 parts per billion (ppb), which is the optimal cutoff value reported previously, or more, and 85 cases (sensitivity 82%) were positive for sputum eosinophils. Of 38 cases with FeNO levels less than 22 ppb, 30 cases were positive for sputum eosinophils. The sensitivity was 92% when FeNO levels were 22 ppb or higher or when patients tested positive for sputum eosinophils. We conclude that simultaneously measuring FeNO and sputum eosinophils is superior to measuring FeNO alone in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma, because the measurement of sputum eosinophils is quick and easy to perform using a rapid staining solution.
Bronchial asthma Sputum eosinophil Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)
Received 10 Mar 2021 / Accepted 17 Nov 2021
AJRS, 11(1): 1-6, 2022