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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide: A Potential Biomarker in Allergic Rhinitis?
Giorgio Ciprandi1, Fabio Gallo, Fabio Luigi Massimo Ricciardolo
1Department of Medicine, IRCCS-Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
Background:
The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a surrogate biomarker for Th2-dependent bronchial inflammation. The present study investigated whether FeNO may characterize allergic rhinitis (AR) patients.
Methods:
A total of 553 AR patients (497 males, mean age 28.8 years) were evaluated. Those patients with a high FeNO underwent a 2-year follow-up.
Results:
Increased FeNO was associated with a significantly longer AR duration, impaired lung function, more severe symptoms, and more frequent bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). At follow-up, 22 out of 82 patients (26.8%) with high FeNO levels (>50 ppb) developed asthma.
Conclusions:
AR patients may frequently have high FeNO values, exceeding 50 ppb. This might be associated with an initial impaired lung function, BHR, a perceived worsening of respiratory symptoms, and potential progression to asthma.
