An electronic nose could dramatically simplify diagnosis of sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea, a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep, is linked with inflammation of the upper airways which researchers believe could be monitored by analysing exhaled air rather than using the time-consuming and cost-intensive overnight sleep test. Step forward the electronic nose which can be used to detect molecules such as volatile organic compounds present in the breath of a patient.
In a study published in the European Respiratory Journal the electronic nose was found to have a detection sensitivity of 93 percent -- a result which highlights the nose's potential as a diagnostic tool.
"This is the first time an electronic nose has been tested in the setting of sleep apnoea diagnosis," said study leader, Dr Timm Greulich of Germany's Marburg Hospital. "The electronic nose could be useful in two ways. First, it can rule out the disease in a low prevalence population. Secondly, in a population with a high risk of sleep apnoea, the device could be used to help decide who would need to undergo an overnight sleep examination."
While the electronic nose would not directly replace the overnight sleep test it would enable doctors to determine more accurately which patients required the more expensive and time-consuming test.