Diagnostic value of FeNO, periostin, IL-4, and ECP in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), periostin, interleukin (IL)-4, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (AEBA) and their relationship with lung function.

METHODS

Ninety-six bronchial asthma patients admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were collected and divided into two groups: acute exacerbation group (n = 55) and non-acute-exacerbation group (n = 41). Pulmonary function indices and serum levels of FeNO, IL-4, periostin, ECP, and EOS % were determined. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between these biomarkers and pulmonary function indices. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to assess the diagnostic value of these biomarkers for AEBA.

RESULTS

The acute-exacerbation group showed lower percentage of predicted values of peak expiratory flow (PEF %pred), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 %pred), and forced vital capacity (FVC %pred) while higher levels of FeNO, IL-4, periostin, ECP, and EOS compared to the non-acute-exacerbation group. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that FeNO, IL-4, periostin, and ECP levels were negatively correlated with PEF %pred, FEV1 %pred, and FVC %pred, and positively correlated with EOS %. ROC curve analysis revealed that these biomarkers had high predictive value for AEBA.

CONCLUSIONS

FeNO, IL-4, periostin, and ECP levels are negatively correlated with pulmonary function indices (PEF %pred, FEV1 %pred, and FVC %pred) and positively correlated with EOS %. These biomarkers have high predictive value for AEBA.