Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive biomarker of airway inflammation and nitrosative stress. Previous studies have suggested a possible role of FeNO in the management of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, but published data are discordant.
Objectives: To assess the clinical usefulness of FeNO and alveolar concentration of NO (CalvNO) in sarcoidosis.
Methods: We measured FeNO50-100-150 and CalvNO in 31 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, 32 patients affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 30 healthy controls.
Results: Sarcoidosis group reported FeNO50-100-150 and CalvNO levels comparable to healthy controls, while IPF patients showed significantly higher values of FeNO50-100-150 and CalvNO than sarcoidosis (all p<0.05) and controls groups (all p<0.05).
Conclusion: Exhaled nitric oxide is not a useful biomarker in the management of patients affected by pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Keywords: Biomarker; FeNO; Sarcoidosis.