New peak flow scale imminent
29 June 2004

New peak flow meters will be introduced in the UK this autumn. The new hand-held meters are being manufactured to European specifications and will use a different scale of measurement to the current 'Wright' meter scale, which will be phased out.

Peak flow readings gauge lung function and can be a warning sign that someone's asthma is getting worse; many people with asthma monitor their peak flow at home every day. Patients simply blow into the device and note down the reading on a chart as part of a personal action plan. Readings can be particularly useful when starting to take new medicine, as they show how the drugs are affecting the lungs.

The new EU meters measure air flow in a different way to the old meters and will therefore produce different readings. Experts believe that this should lead to better diagnosis and treatment of asthma. However, it is important that patients and health professionals are aware of the differences between the old and new meters, as it is likely to change 'personal best' readings and may worry those who think their health has deteriorated when in fact they are simply using the new scale.

This will be especially important during the period of overlap while both types of meters are likely to be in use, which could be up to three years, as this is the period after which people are advised to replace their peak flow meters. Although people can carry on using their old meters, only the new devices will be available on prescription after 1 September 2004.

Patients and health staff are being reminded to make a note in their asthma diaries of which scale is being used. In some cases it is possible that people with asthma will be using a different scale to their GP or asthma nurse; conversion tables will be available to help address this.

Health workers are advised to reassess a patient's levels on the new scale before prescribing medication or issuing a new peak flow meter.

Katie Shepherd, Asthma UK's Care Development Manager advised people with asthma to make sure that whoever usually treats their asthma knew if they had an EU peak flow meter or not: 'It's important to make sure that you take your own peak flow meter along to your next asthma review so that your doctor or nurse can make a note of which type of meter you are using.'

The new meters will be identifiable by their new markings: the packaging will bear the number of the EU directive - EN 13826 – and , on the mini-Wright (pictured), the scale will be printed in a different colour to the old meters: blue text on a yellow background.

Asthma UK will be producing new personal action plans and diaries to be used with the new scale, when it comes into force this September.