Extract
We thank L. Pérez de Llano and colleagues for their comments on our study [1] and for comparing our findings with those of their prospective multicentre study describing a simple score for predicting step-down failure in adults with well-controlled asthma [2]. However, we would like to clarify that recent systematic review findings conclude that there is insufficient evidence, rather than evidence against, the ability of low fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) to identify individuals in whom treatment can be safely stepped down [3].
Abstract
Using FENO to guide safe step-down treatment decisions in patients with well-controlled asthma should involve gradual, carefully monitored reductions and consider other potential risk factors for acute exacerbations https://bit.ly/2E2W679
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: K. Wang reports grants from National Institute for Health Research, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: J.Y. Verbakel has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: J. Oke has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A. Fleming-Nouri has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: N. Harada reports personal fees from AstraZeneca and GSK, outside the submitted work; and has a patent pending (Japanese Patent Application 2018-097070).
Conflict of interest: R. Atsuta has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: T. Fujisawa has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: T. Kawayama reports grants from Novartis, and personal fees from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: H. Inoue reports grants from Boehringer-Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Kyorin, Sanofi, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: S. Lazarus reports grants from NIH/NHLBI, during the conduct of the study; grants from NIH/NHLBI and American Lung Association - Airway Clinical Research Centers Network (ALA-ACRC), outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: S. Szefler reports other from Boehringer-Ingelheim, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Propeller Health, Sanofi and Regeneron, and grants from GlaxoSmithKline, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: F.D. Martinez reports grants from NIH/NHLBI, NIH/NIEHS, NIH/NIAID, NIH/Office of Director, Johnson & Johnson, and personal fees from Copeval, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: D. Shaw reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, GSK, TEVA, and Novartis, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: I.D. Pavord reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Aerocrine, Almirall, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech and Regeneron; other funding from Teva, Chiesi, Sanofi, Circassia and Knopp, and grants from NIHR, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: M. Thomas reports personal fees from GSK, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work; and recent membership of the BTS SIGN Asthma guideline steering group and the NICE Asthma Diagnosis and Monitoring guideline development group.
- Received July 16, 2020.
- Accepted July 16, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020