Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and atopy in Asian young adults

Objectives: The relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and atopy is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and atopy in Asian young adults. Methodology: Subjects were assessed by: (i) the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to differentiate asthmatic from nonasthmatic and rhinitis from non-rhinitis subjects; (ii) skin prick testing to 10 allergens; and (iii) FENO measurements performed online at a flow rate of 50 mL/s. Results: Complete results were available for 84 subjects. FENO values were highest in atopic asthmatics (n = 34; median FENO, 59.8 p.p.b.; interquartile range, 30.4-85.5 p.p.b), followed by atopic non-asthmatics (n = 34; median, 38.4 p.p.b.; range, 16.7-49.3 p.p.b), nonatopic asthmatics (n = 5; median, 19.1 p.p.b.; range, 17.9-33.4 p.p.b), and lowest in nonatopic nonasthmatics (n=11; median, 15.7 p.p.b.; range, 11.5-21.7 p.p.b). FENO values were significantly higher in atopic (n = 68; median, 44.7 p.p.b.; range, 27.3-75.2 p.p.b) compared to nonatopic subjects (n = 16; median, 17.0 p.p.b.; range, 11.7-23.8 p.p.b.; P < 0.0001), regardless of asthma and rhinitis status. FENO levels correlated with the severity of atopy (wheal size) for both asthmatic (r= 0.44, P= 0.005) and nonasthmatic subjects (r= 0.48, P= 0.001). There was no significant difference in FENO levels between nonatopic asthmatics and nonatopic nonasthmatic subjects (P= 0.25). Conclusions: Increased FENO levels are more reflective of atopy rather than asthma, and increased nitric oxide production may be predominantly a feature of atopy in asthmatics.