Treating airway inflammation, has been proven to reduce the risk of exacerbations.1
Key highlights:
Decline in lung function has been shown to be twice as fast in patients with frequent exacerbations.2
Elevated FeNO values are associated with 3.2x greater risk of exacerbations.3
FeNO can help identify patients who are non-adherent to their ICS medication.4
Why improve asthma management?
The consequences of poorly controlled asthma can be serious, with 50% of patients experiencing an exacerbation in the preceding 12 months and globally, 1,000 deaths a day.1,2 Many patients remain symptomatic despite treatment and are at greater risk of exacerbations.
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) describes the goals of asthma management as risk reduction and symptom control, with the aim of relieving the burden on the patient. Risks include exacerbations, airway remodelling, the side-effects of medication and asthma-related death.3
Reducing exacerbations is the top priority
In the short term, symptomatic patients face the immediate threat of hospitalisation and death due to potentially severe exacerbations. Patients can also experience reduced quality of life, from missed days of work or school to forced exclusion from sport, a lack of regular exercise and difficulty with daily activities.3
Asthma can also cause long-term problems. Repeated exacerbations can lead to detrimental airway remodelling and significant loss of lung function. Decline in lung function has been shown to be twice as fast in patients with frequent exacerbations.4 Untreated exacerbation risks also adversely affect healthcare budgets with the cost of unscheduled appointments and hospitalisation.
One size doesn't fit all
Uncontrolled asthma is the main risk factor for exacerbations.3 But each patient also has their own set of modifiable risks, such as high airway inflammation, reduced lung function, high SABA usage, poor adherence to ICS or inadequate inhaler technique.3
A tailored approach to managing personal risk factors is essential to improve patient outcomes.5 Targeting and treating airway inflammation, a key characteristic of asthma, has been proven to be effective in reducing the risk of exacerbations.6
FeNO is the most convenient biomarker of airway inflammation. FeNO levels are elevated in asthma and reduced with steroid therapy, making FeNO testing a helpful tool when personalising asthma care for each individual.
FeNO, the asthma risk estimator
Regular monitoring of asthma is crucial to keep a close eye on the patient's future risk. It takes less than two minutes to perform a FeNO test and see the results at the point-of-care, and it can be repeated at each visit.
Elevated FeNO values are associated with 3.2x greater risk of exacerbations when compared to low FeNO levels.7 In addition, half of patients with high FeNO could suffer from airway remodelling, despite asthma being controlled.8
FeNO-guided management
Tracking patient FeNO levels with regular testing enables physicians to address airway inflammation through optimised treatment.
FeNO values can indicate whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be stepped up or down as appropriate.9 FeNO also helps monitor patient compliance.10
Optimising therapy and adherence with FeNO testing has been proven to reduce exacerbations by up to 50%.6
UP TO 50% FEWER
EXACERBATIONS
with FeNO-guided asthma management
for both adults and children10
FeNO testing makes a difference
FeNO testing helps healthcare professionals be more confident with their asthma diagnosis. Introducing FeNO testing is an effective way to start your newly diagnosed asthma patients on the right track to asthma control.
Find patients likely to respond to ICS
FeNO is sensitive to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS): high FeNO levels indicate the patient is likely to respond. This can help titrate the first ICS prescription. In contrast, it is unlikely that ICS will help control asthma in patients whose FeNO is low.8 Around 15% of asthmatics, typically middle-aged, overweight women, will not respond to ICS as expected.1,11
Help patients help themselves
FeNO testing is praised by many healthcare professionals as a great educational tool. Seeing their FeNO value helps patients understand the degree of airway inflammation in their lungs and the associated risks. Watching their FeNO come down to a healthier level is encouraging and may help patients with compliance to ICS medication.
Save time with FeNO
FeNO testing is a safe procedure that can easily be included in your clinical routine. It takes less than two minutes to perform a FeNO test and see the results at the point-of-care. FeNO advocate Dr Richard Russell (UK) describes it as a "desktop test", with the device available within arm's reach.
Why measure FeNO?
FeNO testing is the most convenient way to assess airway inflammation at the point-of-care.
Simple
One test, one number. Airway inflammation in a single FeNO level.
Immediate
Performing a FeNO test takes approximately one minute - quicker than making a cup of coffee.
Non-invasive
Taking a FeNO test is as simple as inhaling and exhaling: no blood, sweat or tears required.
