Background Nitric oxide is an important regulatory
mediator throughout the body. Naturally, the diagnostic
applicability of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)
depends on the availability of reference values that
adequately take into account the major factors affecting
FeNO. FeNO values are strongly influenced by several
intraindividual factors, including age, atopy, high
immunoglobulin E, height, weight, sex, and smoking habits.
This study aimed to address the normal ranges of FeNO in
healthy Egyptian adults and its relation to other personal
factors.
Materials and methods A total of 211 healthy Egyptian
individuals were selected from pulmonary outpatient
clinics and the Chest Department of University Hospital
during the period between January 2014 and September
2014. Pulmonary function tests, FeNO measurement,
and laboratory tests were carried out. The participants’
demographic data were also recorded.
Results There was significant negative correlation
between measured FeNO and age, weight, BMI, and
smoking index. A positive correlation was found between
FeNO and height. Female participants had significantly
lower levels of FeNO (20.4 ± 9.9) compared with male
nonsmokers (28.2 ± 12.4).
Conclusion FeNO is affected by sex, BMI, weight, height,
and current smoking. The reference ranges for FeNO
in healthy Egyptian adults were similar to those of the
Caucasian population. In general, values of more than 50
parts per billion (ppb) in male participants and 40 ppb in
female participants are considered abnormal in Egyptian
populations. |
