Doctors will soon be able to diagnose various gastric disorders simply by checking breath patterns. The newly-developed non-invasive method of recognizing breath patterns helps provide a one-step diagnosis and classification of disorders like dyspepsia, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This technique could be a game changer in diagnosing diseases as it is less time-consuming and requires no specialized training. It also provides a more accurate and consistent diagnosis than other tests.
This is because breath analysis uses a non-invasive method of analyzing the exhaled air by measuring traces of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath. Unlike other tests, such as blood and stool samples, the VOCs in the breath can be a more accurate indicator of gastrointestinal conditions.
According to the Rome IV criteria, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are variable combinations of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal signs and symptoms that do not reflect structural or biochemical changes [1]. Symptoms occur based on a combination of factors, including gut microbial dysbiosis, altered mucosal immune function, and central nervous system dysregulation of gut signaling and motor control of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Overlapping FGIDs include functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Overlap between GERD and FD has been reported in surveys ranging from 5% to 30% of community individuals, and overlap between GERD and IBS is even higher [26,47]. Currently, the diagnosis of FGIDs is primarily made based on symptomatic questionnaires and endoscopic evaluations.
Among a wide range of GERD symptoms, the most common are heartburn and regurgitation resulting from acid exposure to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The acid erodes the stomach lining and esophageal sphincter, causing inflammation and ulceration. Symptoms can be managed through lifestyle and dietary changes as well as medication, which includes decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach or increasing the motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
A recent study shows that a simple breath test can help doctors detect peptic ulcers and oesophageal cancer. The study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology today, found that a breath test can identify the presence of oesophageal and stomach cancer with 85 percent accuracy – more than enough to save lives. The test is easy to administer and does not require invasive methods such as blood or stool samples, which can cause discomfort for the patient. The test can be used with other clinical and radiological tests to diagnose oesophageal and stomach tumors. It can also monitor treatment and track a patient’s response to therapy. The research was carried out by a team of scientists at the Technical Research Centre at S. N. Bose Centre and funded by DST. Prof. Sujit Chaudhuri, a well-known medical scientist, and Gastroenterologist at AMRI Hospital, Kolkata, led the team. The research team included a student Sayoni Bhattacharya, project scholars Abhijit Maity and Anil Mahato, and Dr. Sujit Kumar Chaudhuri from AMRI Hospital, Kolkata.
