Is Fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) useful as a biomarker in eosinophilic esophagitis?

Gomez ARG, Canas AP, Sotomayor JVM, Castello MC, Rodríguez JRM and Torrijos EG

Published on: 2022-09-07

Abstract

Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is defined by esophageal dysfunction symptoms and ≥ 15 eosinophils/ high-powered fields in the esophageal mucosa. Fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) reports eosinophilic inflammation. We want to investigate  whether FeNO-levels are helpful for diagnostic and for evaluating response to therapy in patients with EoE to study whether there are differences between EoE 30   patients and controls subjects. Y calculate the sensitivity and specificity of FeNO-levels.

Methods: Prospective, descriptive, and analytical study. We performed the FeNO-levels measurements three times (to familiarize ourselves with the technique and before and after treatment) Study variables: EoE, age, sex, asthma, rhinitis, and FeNO-levels (before and after treatment) in patients and control subjects, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of FeNO-levels.

Results: We have studied FeNO-levels in 204 patients, of which 71 had EoE and 101 were women. Median age 38 and FeNO-levels 19. They had asthma 135 and rhinitis 121.

Conclusion: There are significant differences between patients and controls subjects in age, sex, FeNO-levels (higher in patients than in controls subjects and in non-asthmatic patients), and FeNO-levels ( 30 ppb, they are likely to have EoE.