Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in patients with suspected asthma: study protocol for a prospective diagnostic study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is promising for diagnosing asthma and might substitute for bronchial provocation (BP) tests. To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FeNO within a confirmatory study, the following hypotheses will be tested: (1) A FeNO cut-off >50 ppb (parts per billion) is suitable for diagnosing asthma (sensitivity 35%, specificity 95%); (2) If the clinical symptoms 'allergic rhinitis' and 'wheezing' are present, asthma can be diagnosed at FeNO >33 ppb with a positive predictive value (PPV) >70% and (3) A FeNO >33 ppb can predict responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a PPV >70%.

Methods and analysis

A prospective diagnostic study will be conducted in three practices of pneumologists in German

SUBMITTER: Kellerer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7883850 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature