Reference values for exhaled nitric oxide (reveno) study

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 value s for healthy adult men and women that could be used for clinical and research purposes. © 2006 Olivieri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.