Some factors influencing quality of spontaneous or induced sputum for inflammatory cell analysis

Abstract

Patients with increased airway secretions in the days preceding the test, easy expectoration and "good" macroscopic aspect of the sputum are more likely to produce sputum sample adequate for inflammatory cell analysis. If the first sputum sample is adequate, subsequent samples are very likely to be adequate as well. If the first sputum sample is inadequate, the quality of subsequent samples cannot be predicted, since there are similar probabilities of having adequate or inadequate samples.

Diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome

“…The induced sputum method is noninvasive and not limited to disease, but the operating procedures are quite stringent and complicated, since the results could be susceptible to interference. [ 22 ] In the recent years, FeNO, as a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation, has been attracted wide attention. FeNO is more convenient, rapid, reproducible, and less painful than induced sputum analysis.…”