Exhaled breath temperature effective tool for assessing airway inflammation in asthmatics: Study

Assessment of airway inflammation among asthmatics involves invasive methods, which have limitations in a clinical setting. Since the signs of inflammation are redness, pain, swelling and increase in temperature, it is very likely that inflammation in asthmatics would alter the thermal balance of the affected tissues. Keeping this in mind, researchers from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) collaborated with All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to measure the Exhaled Breath Temperature, compare it to healthy controls, and also correlate it with serum biomarkers of inflammation and remodeling.

24 male asthma patients and 23 healthy controls were recruited for the study. EBT and body temperature was recorded followed by spirometry to determine the Forced expiratory Volume in 1s (FEV1), Forced Vital capacity (FVC), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). ELISA was used to determine the serum levels of Interleukin 6 (IL6), Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Tissue Inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1).

The study revealed the following findings:

• EBT in asthmatics was significantly higher than that of healthy controls.
• Rate of EBT change wasn't significant.
• Serum biomarkers were significantly higher in asthmatics but no correlations could be made between EBT and serum biomarkers.

The investigators concluded that EBT can be used as an adjunct tool in the assessment of airway inflammation among asthmatic patients.

Reference:

Study titled, "Exhaled Breath Temperature and Serum Biomarkers for Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Asthmatics," is published in the Journal of Association of Physicians of India.

DOI: https://www.japi.org/x2946474/exhaled-breath-temperature-and-systemic-biomarkers-for-assessment-of-airway-inflammation-in-asthmatics