FeNO Diagnostics
What can be diagnosed via FENO testing?
Unveiling the Power of FeNO Testing: A Tool in Asthma Diagnosis and Management
Explore the advantage of FeNO testing, a Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide test, playing a crucial role in diagnosing and managing asthma, and related health conditions. It is instrumental in identifying eosinophilic airway inflammation, a distinctive aspect of numerous asthma types. Let's delve into the various benefits and applications of FeNO testing:
• Asthma Diagnosis: FeNO testing proves vital in diagnosing asthma by signaling the existence of eosinophilic airway inflammation, a signature feature of many asthma variants. High FeNO levels may indicate that corticosteroids could be the suitable treatment course.
• Asthma Management: The monitoring of FeNO levels can become a useful asset in evaluating the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory asthma treatment. Variations in FeNO levels may mirror changes in airway inflammation, steering therapy adjustments.
• Risk Assessment: Elevated FeNO levels could potentially indicate the likelihood of upcoming asthma flare-ups. This enables timely alterations in treatment schedules to deter them.
• Cough-Variant Asthma Diagnosis: For patients presenting persistent cough but normal spirometry results, heightened FeNO levels may imply cough-variant asthma, aiding in accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment.
• Eosinophilic Bronchitis Detection: In patients with chronic cough devoid of asthma, escalated FeNO levels could hint at eosinophilic bronchitis, treatable with corticosteroids even without asthma.
• Atopic Status Indicator: As FeNO levels may heighten in atopic individuals, the test could indirectly signal atopic status, even though its primary function isn't for diagnosing atopic conditions.
• Differentiation of Asthma Subtypes: FeNO testing can assist in distinguishing between eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma, directing the selection of specific treatments like biologics for severe eosinophilic asthma.