Background: There is insufficient information on reproducibility and intra observer variability of breath analysis, a technique proved to have classificatory and discriminative properties in respiratory diseases. Aim of this study is therefore to compare variance over time of breath analysis and global spirometry in elderly patients with COPD. Materials and methods: Data refer to the 9 COPD patients so far recruited. Patient underwent breath analysis and respiratory function study 3 times along a period of 3 weeks. The gas sensors array (based on 6 Quartz Microbalances (QMB) covered with different metalloporphyrins) used for this study was fabricated by Tor Vergata University, Rome. The reproducibility of sensors measurements and spirometry data were then compared. Results: Results are summarized in figure 1 with panels A, B and C respectively representing the frequency shifts registered by the six QMB sensors (A) and twelve parameters obtained by global spirometry (B and C). Variance, mean value, confidence interval and outliers of a set of data are graphically depicted. Conclusions: Spirometric values show a smaller variance respect to the QMB frequency shifts. However, the reproducibility of selected sensor data seems fair enough to allow follow up COPD patients.

Reproducibility data of breath analysis through a gas sensors array and comparison to spirometry in COPD patients

Scarlata S;Pennazza G;Antonelli Incalzi R
2011-01-01

Abstract

Background: There is insufficient information on reproducibility and intra observer variability of breath analysis, a technique proved to have classificatory and discriminative properties in respiratory diseases. Aim of this study is therefore to compare variance over time of breath analysis and global spirometry in elderly patients with COPD. Materials and methods: Data refer to the 9 COPD patients so far recruited. Patient underwent breath analysis and respiratory function study 3 times along a period of 3 weeks. The gas sensors array (based on 6 Quartz Microbalances (QMB) covered with different metalloporphyrins) used for this study was fabricated by Tor Vergata University, Rome. The reproducibility of sensors measurements and spirometry data were then compared. Results: Results are summarized in figure 1 with panels A, B and C respectively representing the frequency shifts registered by the six QMB sensors (A) and twelve parameters obtained by global spirometry (B and C). Variance, mean value, confidence interval and outliers of a set of data are graphically depicted. Conclusions: Spirometric values show a smaller variance respect to the QMB frequency shifts. However, the reproducibility of selected sensor data seems fair enough to allow follow up COPD patients.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12610/18356
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact