Simple Noninvasive Test for Airway Inflammation

The pH of expired breach condensate represents a simple, noninvasive, inexpensive, and easily repeatable way to evaluate airway inflammation, according to a study reported by Greek researchers in the May 15, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a publication of the American Thoracic Society.

In the study, researchers studied 90 patients with airway diseases. Of these, 40 had asthma, 20 with mild persistent asthma and 20 with moderate asthma. Of the remaining 50 patients, 20 had bronchiectases, 20 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 10 were control subjects. The findings of the researchers confirmed their initial hypothesis that airway acidification from within the body is strongly related to inflammation in these three diseases.

Patients with moderate asthma had significantly lower values than patients with the mild version or the control subjects. In patients with COPD and bronchiectases, the pH values were correlated with both sputum neutrophilia and oxidative stress. In patients with moderate asthma, a significant correlation was found between the pH and sputum eosinophilia total nitrate/nitrate and oxidative stress. When the inflammatory process is well controlled, the pH remains within normal limits. The study was conducted by researchers at the Army General Hospital, Athens, Greece.




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American Thoracic Soc.