Asthma FeNO

Published on 1 December 2021

What is FeNO?

FeNO stands for ‘fractional exhaled nitric oxide’. A FeNO test measures the levels of nitric oxide when you breathe out. Nitric oxide is produced in your lungs when your airways are inflamed because you are allergic to something you have breathed in. There are 2 areas in which asthma is the focus this year for the Accelerated Access Collaborate and its associated support of rapid uptake products (or RUPs).

Why is FeNO required?

Over 5.4 million people in the UK suffer from asthma. The NHS spends £1.1 billion on asthma treatment and management annually, with 90% of this cost going directly on asthma medication, including the high prescription of steroid inhalers. It’s suspected that 30% of patients currently diagnosed with asthma have been misdiagnosed.

What impact does FeNO have?

The FeNO test works by measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (‘FeNO’) in the breath of patients, and providing a score. Nitric oxide is a biomarker for asthma, which provides an indication of the level of inflammation in the lungs. This can improve patient care and outcomes by:

  • More accurate and effective diagnosis of patients suspected of having asthma
  • Better understanding of an individual patient’s condition in relation to their FeNO score
  • Adjusting doses of steroids or guide biological agents treatment.
  • Asthma FeNO is one of four pathways and innovations being supported through the 2020-2022 RUP Programme.

How do you find out more?

More information on FeNO testing is available on the Wessex Health Innovation Network website:click here.

Alternatively, get in touch with a member of the project team below.

If you would like to find out how other primary care providers have included FeNO in the asthma diagnosis pathway there are some great case studies please click here.

West Midlands Health Innovation Network FeNO Learning Collaborative Event

We recently hosted a West Midlands FeNO Learning Collaborative Event, which showcased best practice and shared learning of FeNO devices within the region to better support the adoption of FeNO in primary care. The event included respiratory leads and guest speakers offering support and guidance on how to use the FeNO devices, how to adopt FeNO into primary care and practices, as well as showcasing case studies and expected patient outcomes. A recording of the event can be found below, and the additional resources shared during the event can be found by clicking here.

FeNO Project and Learning Collaborative 11.01.23

FeNO Project and Learning Collaborative 15.03.23

End of programme statement – 31 March 2023

The national FeNO programme has now closed (end March 2023). To read the end of programme statement please click here

You can read the programme’s national impact report here. 

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Project team

Emma Suggett

Medicines Optimisation Lead

Rabia Gowa

Innovation Programme Manager (Medicines Optimisation)

Kanwal Umar

Assistant Project Manager

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