[Feasibility of FeNO measurement in asthmatic children in the primary care setting. CANON Study].
OBJECTIVE
Asses the feasibility of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement in asthmatic children using a hand-held device in the primary care setting.


METHODS
Multicentre study performed in the paediatric clinics in seven Spanish primary health care centres. Each centre consecutively included 6-14 year-old children with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Children were asked to obtain two valid measurements of FeNO with the hand-held device NIOX MINO (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden). Feasibility analysis included: (a) percentage of children able to perform the manoeuvre, (b) time required to obtain a successful determination, (c) number of attempts needed, and (d) acceptability of the technical procedure by clinical personnel involved in their guidance.


RESULTS
The Study enrolled 151 children. A total of 149 (98.7%) were able to perform the FeNO manoeuvre. The majority (55%) of children had previous experience of using the hand-held device. The Overall median (and Interquartile Range, IQR) of attempts needed to reach a first valid measurement was 2 (1-3) and median (IQR) of time taken was 4 min (3-5). Nurses considered the overall procedure was very easy or easy in 87.8% (teaching) and 86.5% (performing) of children. Children with previous experience performed the manoeuvre in less attempts, less time and more easily than children without experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of FeNO using NIOX MINO device is technically feasible and acceptable for children and staff in the clinical context of asthma management in primary health care. Previous experience had a positive, learning effect, in teaching and performing the FeNO manoeuvre.
Díaz Vázquez
C
C
Centro de Salud de Moreda, Moreda, Asturias, España. cdiazvazquez@gmail.com
Carvajal Urueña
I
I
Cano Garcinuño
A
A
Mora Gandarillas
I
I
Mola Caballero de Rodas
P
P
Garcia Merino
A
A
Dominguez Aurrecoechea
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D011320:Primary Health Care
D009569:Nitric Oxide