Seven out of ten asthmatic patients report that cold air exacerbates their symptoms, according to research. As winter approaches, it is vital to plan for asthma control in advance.1
Recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing is an essential tool in asthma therapy.2 This article will examine how FeNO testing can help with asthma management during winter.
Winter challenges for asthma patients
As the air temperature drops in the cold winter months, people with asthma can be directly affected for a variety of reasons.1
- Cold air can weaken the immune system, making it easier to catch respiratory infections
- Cold air causes the airways to narrow
- Cold, dry air can irritate the airways, exacerbating symptoms
- Spending more time indoors during winter increases the spread of respiratory infections
In a recent study, Asthma + Lung UK found that hospital admissions for lung disorders including asthma increased by 80 % in December, January, and February compared to Spring.3
These figures reveal the substantial burden that respiratory disorders, such as asthma, place on healthcare systems in winter. FeNO testing is an important tool for asthma patients to improve their quality of life throughout the colder months.
Image Credit: NObreath
What is a FeNO test?
FeNO is a biomarker for eosinophilic airway inflammation, which is often associated with asthma. When an individual's airways become inflamed, more nitric oxide (NO) is produced, which can be quantified in exhaled breath in parts per billion (ppb).
To monitor FeNO levels, a quick test can be taken using a FeNO device, such as the NObreath®, a simple and non-invasive procedure. To measure FeNO levels, the patient takes a deep breath before exhaling into the NObreath®. An instant FeNO reading is shown that reveals airway inflammation in as little as five minutes.4
Image Credit: NObreath
FeNO testing using NObreath®
The NObreath® is a revolutionary FeNO device in primary and secondary care settings. The NObreath® is fully portable and readily transported between consulting rooms, making it a rapid and practical alternative for FeNO testing in busy settings. The device offers an adult and kid test mode, making it appropriate for all ages.
Image Credit: NObreath
Why is FeNO testing necessary before and during the winter?
Providing a FeNO test during regular asthma reviews enables clinicians to proactively monitor a patient's airway inflammation and detect inflammation before symptoms worsen.
It can also help with the development of individual treatment programs and for the titration of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), minimizing exacerbation and unnecessary hospitalization.
The most recent UK guidelines from NICE, BTS, and SIGN support FeNO as a first-line test for asthma diagnosis and a key tool for asthma management, indicating that FeNO testing should be provided nationwide.2
Regular asthma reviews are required all year round, not just in the winter months. FeNO testing is an excellent way to determine a person's airway inflammation, allowing healthcare practitioners to tailor treatment strategies and improve asthmatic patients’ quality of life.
References
- Asthma and Lung UK (2023). Cold Weather and Your Lungs | Asthma + Lung UK. (online) Asthma and Lung UK. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/cold-weather.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2024). Overview | Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) | Guidance | NICE. (online) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG245.
- Asthma and Lung UK. Out in the cold: lung disease, the hidden driver of NHS winter pressure | Asthma + Lung UK. (online) Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/out-cold-lung-disease-hidden-driver-nhs-winter-pressure.
- North Bristol NHS Trust. (2024). Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Test | North Bristol NHS Trust. (online) Available at: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/respiratory-medicine/respiratory-patient-information/fractional-exhaled-nitric-oxide-feno-test.
About NObreath
The NObreath® is a FeNO device by Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. which can be used to measure airway inflammation for the management and diagnosis of asthma.
Our mission is to help improve asthma diagnosis & management of adults and children worldwide through FeNO measuring. Our purpose is to make FeNO measuring more accessible globally, with the creation of an effective yet cost-efficient FeNO device and equally low cost consumables.
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