Abstract
CONTEXT: In pediatric asthma, it is critical to have a reliable airway inflammation marker that may be used to assess its severity and prognosis. Fractional exhalation of nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive objective method can be utilized as a supplemental tool if proven to correlate with clinical parameters. AIMS: To study the correlation between FeNO, and asthma control test (ACT) scores and spirometry data in steroid naive asthmatic children 6-18 years at visit one and after 6-8 weeks follow-up. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was observational follow-up study conducted among steroid naïve asthmatics attending the Outpatient Department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline visit, they were classified as well controlled, not well controlled, and poorly controlled as per ACT, FeNO and Spirometry done as per standard technique. After 6-8 weeks of follow-up, all the above parameters were repeated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson correlation coefficient/Kendall's tau 2 of 10 analysis was used for the association of two related variables. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 56 enrolled, mean FeNO at visit 1 was 41.8 ± 33.26, which decreased to 20.26 ± 14.57 at visit 2. Changes in mean FeNO values between both visits and ΔACT scores (P = -0.001) and change in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (ΔFEV1) were statistically significant (P = 0.001). A decrease in FeNO values from baseline was accompanied by significant increase in ACT scores and an improvement in FEV1. CONCLUSION: The FeNO values correlated inversely with the ACT scores as well as FEV1 proving its scope for incorporating it in the clinical setting for monitoring asthma treatment.