How can measuring exhaled NO help patient care and treatment compliance?
A cornerstone in asthma treatment is the use of anti-inflammatory therapy, such as inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Exhaled NO values can be used to monitor the effects of treatment. For patient not on corticosteroids: • High NO levels signal the need to treat the underlying inflammation with appropriate ICS dosage. • Low NO levels suggest no atopic asthma and that another diagnosis should be considered. For patients already on corticosteroids: • A rise in NO value may indicate that the patient is not completely following the prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment or that the disease is worsening. • Conversely, a decrease in NO can confirm effective ICS dosage Diagnosis based on NO testing should be done in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory evaluations. NO testing it is not meant to be used on its own as a diagnostic tool.
