A profile of volatile organic compounds in breath discriminates COPD patients from controls

Respir Med. 2010 Apr;104(4):557-63. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2009.10.018. Epub 2009 Nov 10.

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory condition characterized by oxidative stress and the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) secreted via the lungs. We recently developed a methodological approach able to identify profiles of VOCs in breath unique for patient groups. Here we applied this recently developed methodology regarding diagnosis of COPD patients.

Methods: Fifty COPD patients and 29 controls provided their breath and VOCs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify relevant VOCs. An additional 16 COPD patients and 16 controls were sampled in order to validate the model, and 15 steroid naïve COPD patients were sampled to determine whether steroid use affects performance.

Findings: 1179 different VOCs were detected, of which 13 were sufficient to correctly classify all 79 subjects. Six of these 13 VOCs classified 92% of the subjects correctly (sensitivity: 98%, specificity: 88%) and correctly classified 29 of 32 subjects (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 81%) from the independent validation population. Fourteen out of 15 steroid naïve COPD patients were correctly classified thus excluding treatment influences.

Interpretation: This is the first study distinguishing COPD subjects from controls solely based on the presence of VOCs in breath. Analysis of VOCs might be highly relevant for diagnosis of COPD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Breath Tests / methods
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Exhalation
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Biomarkers
  • Volatile Organic Compounds