Asthma Assessment Completed with EBC
Researchers from Japan recently published research that validates the use of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a means to assess the degree of airway inflammation in patients with asthma. The team published their findings in the journal Respirology.
The team considered the optimal biomarker to identify airway inflammation in asthmatic patients. Biomarkers were further assessed as correlates to lung function and the severity of asthma.
Also considered were the best means to assess EBC. Two different measures to assess EBC were considered, a commercial device and the pipetting method. The quantity of both methods was sufficient to measure EBC.
The team assessed EBC and the other biomarkers in a cohort of 58 patients who were all healthy, non-smokers. Data was also collected in a cohort of 55 patients with asthma, seven smokers without symptoms, and nine patients with the common cold.
EBC is a key marker for both treatment and diagnosis of asthma, as indicated by data collected by the researchers. This is of particular interest because assessment is minimally invasive assessment method.
July 31, 2008 Related topics: Pulmonary, Diagnostic