Comparability of a hand-held nitric oxide analyser with online and offline chemiluminescence-based nitric oxide measurement.

Practicability is crucial for successful implementation of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement into asthma management. The study aimed at comparing a conventional chemiluminescence NO analyser (EcoMedics) with a hand-held device (NIOX MINO) and offline FeNO measurement using a commercially available system in an unselected cohort of children aged 6-16 yr. A secondary objective was to confirm FeNO stability over time in 15 samples from adult volunteers obtained using the offline system. Sixty-six children (mean +/- s.d. age 11.8 +/- 3.0 yr) underwent single breath FeNO measurement in triplets with each device. Offline collected FeNO was measured after offline breath collection into a Mylar balloon and subsequent analysis using the chemiluminescence NO analyser. Variability and between-method agreement were assessed, and stability over time within the Mylar balloons was tested by repeated hourly measurements. FeNO levels ranged from 2 to 113 p.p.b. Intra-class correlation was excellent (r = 0.98, p < 0.001 for each pair). Bland-Altman plots and back-transformation of logarithmic mean differences revealed fair agreement between methods. Stability over time was confirmed over 10 h both at room temperature and when stored under cooling conditions. FeNO values obtained using the chemiluminescence NO analyser, the portable NIOX MINO system and the offline collection technique show between-method agreement within clinically acceptable range.