Font® Scientific Limited, an innovative medical technology company specializing in medical breath analysis devices, welcomes the new study at University Hospital Southampton which investigates whether enhanced asthma controls can reduce inhaler use in children. For more than 15 years, Bedfont® has championed improved asthma care with its NObreath® Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) device, which measures airway inflammation through exhaled breath. The quick and easy test provides clinicians with objective insight to guide medication decisions, reduce unnecessary prescriptions of relievers, prevent over-reliance on blue inhalers and help prevent future asthma attacks.
Research has found that children who use 6 or more blue reliever inhalers a year are 3-5 times more likely to have an asthma attack. Relief inhalers treat only the immediate symptoms and mask the underlying inflammation of the airways, which can lead to further exacerbations.
The study aims to create a new alert system that automatically alerts general practitioners (GPs) when a child has been prescribed too many inhalers, prompting an immediate check. This will allow healthcare professionals to carry out screening and help prevent future attacks.
We welcome the focus this important study brings to the growing problem of inhaler overuse in children, a clear signal that many young people are still not getting the right support for long-term asthma control. Overreliance on blue inhalers often reflects uncontrolled airway inflammation and missed opportunities for targeted therapy. This is why we continue to advocate for improving the accessibility of FeNO testing in primary care, a guideline-recommended, evidence-based tool that helps clinicians identify and treat underlying inflammation early. With better access to FeNO testing across the UK, we can help reduce the unnecessary use of relievers, improve outcomes for children and support GPs to deliver truly personalized asthma care.”
Jason Smith, CEO, Bedfont®
Although the FeNO test is now recommended as a first-line test in UK asthma guidelines, access remains inconsistent in primary care. As a result, many children continue to be treated without the benefit of objective assessment of airway inflammation, increasing the risk of poorly controlled asthma and over-reliance on relief inhalers. Inhaler overuse in children is a well-recognized indicator of uncontrolled asthma and is associated with a higher risk of exacerbations and emergency admissions.
Greater investment and targeted funding are urgently needed to support the widespread adoption of FeNO technology in primary care, helping clinicians provide earlier, more accurate diagnoses and reduce preventable harm.
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