Research recommendation(s) from an individual piece of guidance
- Guidance:
- Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration in asthma: NIOX MINO, NIOX VERO and NObreath
- Date issued:
Research recommendations coming out of this guidance
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NICE discussed the potential for future research. NICE accepted that there is a need to further establish the accuracy of current practice in diagnosing asthma and the incremental accuracy associated with
the addition of FeNO testing. - NICE also considered the role of FeNO measurement in asthma management. It accepted that currently available evidence on the use of FeNO measurement in asthma management is unclear on whether benefits of treatment are maintained long-term. NICE concluded that long-term studies following patients for several years could address this gap.
- NICE also considered the role of FeNO in guiding inhaled corticosteroid dosing through stepping-up and stepping-down protocols. It accepted there is a need for more evidence on which protocols offer the safest and most optimal asthma management when used in UK clinical practice. Therefore, further studies are recommended, with consideration for the different protocols and cut-off points that may be necessary in different populations.