Recognising World Lung Day 2024

World Lung Day is celebrated on the 25th September 2024, with the theme of Clean Air and Healthy Lungs for All.(1) It reminds us of the millions of people affected by chronic lung conditions, including the 300 million asthma sufferers globally.(2) This article looks at asthma, and how innovative solutions, such as FeNO testing, can help to benefit patient care.

World Lung Day 2024 recognises and addresses the increasing rates of lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and infections like tuberculosis.(3) It falls during the month of September, which is frequently termed the “peak” month for asthma, which sees an increase in A&E visits and hospitalisations for asthma-related reasons. (4-6)

The theme of Clean Air and Healthy Lungs for All recognises the impact that pollution has on respiratory health.(1) Air quality in many countries does not reach the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations in its current Air Quality Guidelines.(7) Poor air quality has a detrimental effect on health, which poses a particular risk for those suffering with chronic lung conditions such as asthma, with children particularly at risk.(7) Pollution is a known trigger of asthma, but this risk can be managed by avoiding exposure to pollutants and adjusting treatment.(2)

World Lung Day promotes education and awareness around lung conditions such as asthma and highlights the need for providing better treatment to enhance patient care.(3) FeNO testing aligns with this mission, offering a quick, simple and non-invasive method to help diagnose and manage asthma for patients.(8,9)

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects approximately 300 million people worldwide.(2) It is frequently underdiagnosed and inadequately treated and is responsible for around 1000 deaths each day.(2,10,11) It is estimated that two thirds of these deaths could be avoided.(12)

Asthma cannot be cured; however, many asthma sufferers can reduce their symptoms with effective diagnosis and management.(13,14) FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) offers a way to help achieve this.(8,9)

Typical asthma diagnostics tests measure lung function and obstruction, but they do not tell you the level of inflammation in the lungs, which is a key characteristic of Type 2 asthma.(2,15,16) FeNO testing is the only immediate and non-invasive method of doing this.(9,17,18)

FeNO testing can help diagnose and manage asthma at the point-of-care, with a gentle breathing test yielding an instant and actionable result.(8,9,18) Symptoms of asthma usually include wheeze, chest, tightness and difficulty breathing, but these symptoms can be vague with people unaware that they may have asthma, especially if symptoms are not severe.(2,19)

Overall, World Lung Day highlights the need for better education when it comes to respiratory health management, through recognising risk factors such as pollution, and looking at solutions for adequate diagnosis and management of lung conditions.(1) By increasing awareness, it aims to influence policymakers, healthcare providers, and the general public to take action towards improving lung health and tackling pollution on a global scale.(1,3)

If this article has interested you in FeNO testing and you want to enhance your asthma care for patients, find out more about FeNO on our mobile app FeNO Learn, or learn more about the NIOX VERO? today.

?

References:

1.??????? FIRS. World Lung Day 2024. Available at: https://www.firsnet.org/world-lung-day-2024. Accessed: Aug 2024

2.??????? Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention, 2024. Available at; https://ginasthma.org/2024-report/

3.??????? World Transplant Games Federation. World Lung Day 2024. Available at: https://wtgf.org/event/world-lung-day-2024/. Accessed: Aug 2024

4.??????? Larsen K, et al. The Annual September Peak in Asthma Exacerbation Rates. Still a Reality? Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2016 Feb;13(2):231–9.

5.??????? Johnston NW et al. The September epidemic of asthma hospitalization: School children as disease vectors. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2006 Mar;117(3):557–62.

6.??????? Allergy and Asthma Network. 10 ways to stay healthy during the September asthma peak week. Available at: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/10-ways-to-stay-healthy-during-september-asthma-peak/. Accessed: Aug 2024

7.??????? European Lung Foundation. A combined action on air quality by medical societies and patient organisations. Available at: https://europeanlung.org/en/information-hub/keeping-lungs-healthy/a-combined-action-on-air-quality/. Accessed: Aug 2024

8.????????? Menzies-Gow A et al. Clinical utility of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in severe asthma management. Eur Respir J. 2020;55(3):1901633.

9.????????? Alving K et al. Validation of a new portable exhaled nitric oxide analyzer, NIOX VERO?: randomized studies in asthma. Pulm Ther. 2017;3:207-218.

10.??? Kavanagh J et al. Over- and under-diagnosis in asthma. Breathe (Sheff). 2019;15(1):e20-e27.

11.??? Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, Royal College of Physicians of London. Why asthma still kills?: the National review of asthma deaths (NRAD). Confidential enquiry report 2014. 87.

12.??? Global Asthma Network. The Global Asthma Report. 2022.

13.??? American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI). Asthma 101. Available at; https://acaai.org/asthma/asthma-101/. Accessed; Apr 2024.

14.??? NHS England. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO). Available at; https://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/what-we-do/innovation-for-healthcare-inequalities-programme/rapid-uptake-products/fractional-exhaled-nitric-oxide/. Accessed; Apr 2024.

15.??? Smith AD et al. Diagnosing asthma: comparisons between exhaled nitric oxide measurements and conventional tests. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;169(4):473-8.?

16.??? Hanania NA et al. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide in real-world clinical practice alters asthma treatment decisions. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;120(4):414-418.

17.??? Kuo C et al. Scottish consensus statement on the role of FeNO in adult asthma. Respiratory medicine. 2019;155:54-7.

18.??? Loewenthal L et al. FeNO in asthma. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2022;43:635-645

19.??? American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Asthma Symptoms. Available at; https://acaai.org/asthma/symptoms/

MKT-PRM-WW-0381