FeNO level and allergy status among school children in Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Almost one third of the world population suffers from allergic conditions. Respiratory symptoms are common in Malaysian children but there are few studies on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), inclusive of field clinical test for asthma among children in Malaysia. The aim was to provide insight on factors related to level of FeNO among students in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Methods: In total, 487 randomly selected students from eight secondary schools participated (13–14 years old). A Standardized questionnaire was used to obtained information on doctors’ diagnosed asthma, current asthma and respiratory symptoms. FeNO measurement and skin prick test (SPT to common allergen) were conducted.

Results: The geometric mean FeNO was 16.7 ppb. Totally, 38.4% of students had elevated FeNO level (>20 ppb) and 40.3% had had positive SPT to house dust mites allergens (HDM), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1) or Felis domisticus (cat). Male gender, height, parental history of allergy, self-reported allergy, and atopy were associated with FeNO. In particular, a combination of sensitization to HDM or cat and elevated FeNO were associated with doctor-diagnosed asthma and self-reported allergy to food, pollen and cat.

Conclusion: Asthma, respiratory symptoms and sensitization to HDM and cat are common among students and presence of elevated FeNO levels indicate ongoing airway inflammation.

Keywords:

• Students
• FeNO
• asthma
• allergy
• Malaysia

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the participation of school administrations, children, and their parents, as well as the Ministry of Education Malaysia.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding

This research is supported by National University of Malaysia and Swedish Research Council.