Correlation analysis of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and lung function in varying degrees asthmatic children

Objective To examine the levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in bronchial asthma and the correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide and pulmonary function tests as well as the value of pulmonary function tests in curing the children with bronchial asthma. Methods Seventy-two asthmatic children came from Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital were studied.They were divided into 2 groups: mild-to-moderate asthma group (36 cases) and serious asthma group (36 cases). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide level and the lung function were measured and the correlation analysis was analyzed by SPSS 13.0 software. Results The fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration of the serious asthma group was significantly higher than that of the mild-to-moderate asthma group[(47±26) ppb vs (29±15) ppb, t=3.543, P 0.05). However the level of fractional exhaled nitric oxide was negatively correlated with the lung function parameters, including FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MMEF and PEF in serious asthma group(r=-0.354, -0.573, -0.478, -0.471, P<0.05, 0.001, 0.005, 0.005), respectively. Conclusions Monitoring of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and the lung function parameters can effectively indicate the state of illness of asthmatic child, which plays a key role in the treatment. Key words: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide; Lung function; Child; Asthma; Diagnosis