Persistently elevated exhaled nitric oxide fraction is associated with increased risk of exacerbation in COPD

Abstract

Preventing the occurrence of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a major therapeutic goal. We hypothesise that persistently increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) during follow-up can identify a group of COPD patients at higher risk of AECOPD.To test this hypothesis, we measured FeNO levels (HypAir FeNO (R), Medisoft; Sorinnes, Belgium) prospectively in 226 clinically stable COPD outpatients at recruitment and during follow-up (at 6 and 12 months). Patients were stratified according to the number of visits with FeNO >= 20 ppb.FeNO was = 20 ppb.FeNO was = 20 ppb in clinically stable COPD outpatients are associated with a significantly higher risk of AECOPD.