Two handheld FeNO monitors - which one is better?

The use of portable fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) devices is increasingly common in the diagnosis and management of allergic airways inflammation.

This study tested 2 handheld FENO devices - NIOX-MINO® and NObreath® devices - to determine if:

- there was adequate intradevice repeatability to allow the use of single breath testing
- the devices could be used interchangeably

The NIOX-MINO® showed excellent repeatability (mean difference of 0.1) (the device is shown in the illustration above). However, the NObreath® showed good repeatability (mean difference of −1.61).

Intradevice repeatability was not adequate - the NIOX-MINO® systematically produced higher results than the NObreath® (mean difference of 7.8 ppb).

The results support the manufacturer's advice that single breath testing is appropriate for the NIOX-MINO®. NObreath® results indicate that the mean of more than one breath should be utilized.

The devices cannot be used interchangeably.

References:

Comparative repeatability of two handheld fractional exhaled nitric oxide monitors. Kirsty M. Kapande et al. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011.

Image source: NioxMino.