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Hey All,

Outcomes using exhaled nitric oxide measurements as an
adjunct to primary care asthma management

In a recent study, the feasibility of obtaining FENO
measurements in primary care has been confirmed.13 Here, we evaluated the utility of using FENO levels in an unselected population of patients with a diagnosis of asthma in a primary care setting. The aims were two-fold: firstly, to assess whether an open FENO-based protocol – similar to, but less resourceintensive than those used in previous randomised controlled trials – could be applied in the primary care setting, and what the impact on asthma outcomes would be; and secondly, to evaluate the practical issues associated with using and interpreting FENO levels in a nurse-led asthma clinic.

FENO was measured according to current guidelines using a
NIOX MINO electrochemical analyser or a NIOX
chemiluminescence analyser (both Aerocrine, Solna, Sweden).The latter was available at the Research Unit, 5km. from the Health Centre, but was used only when there was technical failure of the NIOX MINO. To validate FENO results, the sensors from the NIOX MINO device were tested against a calibrated standard, and where appropriate, a correction factor was applied to take account of signal drift.

Source: Primary Care Respiratory Journal