ABSTRACT
Purpose: Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and soluble advanced glycation end-product receptor (sRAGE) are proposed as biomarkers of asthma, therefore we sought to assess their use in asthmatic children of Jordan. Patients and Methods: We conducted a case-control study at The University of Jordan Hospital. A total of 141 asthmatic children followed by respiratory pediatricians and 118 healthy children aged 4-18 years were recruited. FeNO was measured by NObreath device and serum sRAGE by ELISA that detect endogenously soluble isoform (esRAGE) and total soluble RAGE (sRAGE). Results: sRAGE in asthmatic was half of the control (p <0.001). In addition, ratio of esRAGE/sRAGE was two-fold higher in asthmatic (p = <0.001). Neither FeNO nor esRAGE levels were significantly different between groups. FeNO and asthma control test (ACT) score were negatively correlated corrected for age and body mass index (BMI), (r = -0.180, p= 0.034). For the uncontrolled asthma group, esRAGE/sRAGE negatively correlated with ACT score (r = -.329, p = 0.038). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis revealed significant predictive value (PV) for sRAGE and esRAGE/sRAGE in asthma detection with area under the curve (AUC) of (0.751 ± 0.031) and (0.711±.033), consequently. However, no biomarker had a significant PV for lack of control. Conclusion: The current study supports utilizing sRAGE as a marker for asthma and present a potential therapeutic target. However, our results indicate that both FeNO and sRAGE have a limited role in the management of asthmatic children or assessment of asthma control.