Reference Values for Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Healthy Adults

Sample size: 204 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Olivieri Mario, Talamini Giorgio, Corradi Massimo, Perbellini Luigi, Mutti Antonio, Tantucci Claudio, Malerba Mario

Primary Institution: Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy

What are the normal FENO values in a large group of healthy adults?

The study proposes reference FENO values for healthy adult men and women that could be used for clinical and research purposes.

FENO levels were significantly lower in women than in men at all studied expiratory flows.
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.
Different gender-related reference values need to be applied for FENO measurements.

This study found that men and women have different normal levels of nitric oxide in their breath, which is important for doctors to know.

FENO was measured in 204 healthy, non-smoking adults using the on-line single-breath technique.

Potential bias due to the exclusion of smokers and those with recent infections.

The study only included healthy, non-smoking adults and may not apply to other populations.

204 healthy adults, aged 19-65, with equal male and female representation.

0.01

4.5–20.6 ppb for males, 3.6–18.2 ppb for females

p<0.05

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