Reference values for exhaled nitric oxide (reveno) study

Abstract

Abstract Background Despite the widespread use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) as a biomarker of airways inflammation, there are no published papers describing normal FENO values in a large group of healthy adults. Objective The aim of this study was to establish adult FENO reference values according to the international guidelines. Methods FENO was measured in 204 healthy, non-smoking adults with normal spirometry values using the on-line single-breath technique, and the results were analysed chemiluminescently. Results The main result of the study was the significant difference in FENO values between men and women, thus indicating that gender-based reference FENO values are necessary. The FENO levels obtained at expiratory flows of 50 ml/s ranged from 2.6 to 28.8 ppb in men, and from 1.6 to 21.5 ppb in women. Conclusion We propose reference FENO values for healthy adult men and women that could be used for clinical and research purposes.