Exhaled breath analysis using eNose technology in the diagnosis and follow up of chronic (lung) diseases

Better biomarkers are needed for diagnosis and individually tailored treatment of patients with chronic (lung) diseases. New 'omics'-technologies have been emerging in recent years and are increasingly used for both research purposes and in clinical practice. One of the new technologies in this field is 'breathomics'. This consists of exhaled breath analysis by use of electronic nose (eNose) technology. Earlier studies already showed that eNose technology can distinguish between lung cancer, inflammatory diseases and infectious diseases with accuracies that are approaching traditional diagnostic tests. In the Erasmus Medical Center we will ask patients with a range of other diseases (among which interstitial lung diseases, sarcoidosis and transplant patients) to participate in this observational study.
The aim of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility, reliability of exhaled breath analysis using eNose technology in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic (lung) diseases. To achieve this aim we will:
- Evaluate whether different chronic diseases have a specific breathprint
- Evaluate whether the eNose can predict response to therapy
- Evaluate whether the eNose can identify acute exacerbations, infection, transplant rejection and comorbidities such as diabetes

This will be a hypothesis generating pilot study

start study July 2019

not applicable