Breath Testing for Hepatic Encephalopathy version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Breath analysis using Proton Transer Reaction Mass Spectrometry to investigate VOC markers of acute Hepatic Encephalopathy.
IRAS ID
128692
Contact name
Chris Mayhew
Contact email
Research summary
Many chemicals can be produced in humans by various metabolic processes and some are exhaled in the breath. Chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) can be measured in human breath using a sensitive measuring instrument called a Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS). Recent studies have shown that VOCs from breath samples may be able to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. This project aims to measure breath VOCs from patients with acute hepatic encephalopathy, a common side effect of liver cirrhosis. It is caused when toxins which are normally cleared by the liver cross the blood-brain barrier and affect brain function. It can be managed at home, but acute episodes are not predictable and can be dangerous. The main symptom is severe confusion and during an acute encephalopathic attack, it is not safe for a patient to be alone. They must be admitted rapidly to hospital and given therapy to reduce the level of the toxins in their blood. In extreme cases, the patient may fall into a coma, and die. It is a rapidly evolving condition and we propose to take frequent breath samples from patients who have been admitted for encephalopathy and are undergoing therapy to stabilise it. Identification of VOC markers in breath which are associated with encephalopathy could lead to the development of a diagnostic breath test. A quick, bedside test could vastly quality of life for these patients as they would be enabled to manage the condition more effectively and prevent some acute episodes by increasing their doses of laxatives, the common treatment for it. Liver disease is a growing public health problem and the number of sufferers is rapidly increasing. Better diagnosis of encephalopathy would reduce patient suffering and the burden on NHS resources.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0952
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion