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Sophia Zackrisson, MD, PhD. Photo.

Sophia Zackrisson

Manager

Sophia Zackrisson, MD, PhD. Photo.

Deposition of inhaled nanoparticles is reduced in subjects with COPD and correlates with the extent of emphysema : Proof of concept for a novel diagnostic technique

Author

  • H. L. Aaltonen
  • J. K. Jakobsson
  • S. Diaz
  • S. Zackrisson
  • E. Piitulainen
  • J. Löndahl
  • P. Wollmer

Summary, in English

Background: The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often based on spirometry, which is not sensitive to early emphysema. We have recently described a method for assessing distal airspace dimensions by measuring recovery of nanoparticles in exhaled air after a single-breath inhalation followed by breath-hold. Recovery refers to the non-deposited particle fraction. The aim of this study was to explore differences in the recovery of exhaled nanoparticles in subjects with COPD and never-smoking controls. A secondary aim was to determine whether recovery correlates with the extent of emphysema. Method: A total of 19 patients with COPD and 19 controls underwent three repeats of single-breath nanoparticle inhalation followed by breath-hold. Particle concentrations in the inhaled aerosol, and in an alveolar sample exhaled after breath-hold, were measured to obtain recovery. Findings: The patients with COPD had a significantly higher mean recovery than controls, 0·128 ± 0·063 versus 0·074 ± 0·058; P = 0·010. Also, recovery correlated significantly with computed tomography (CT) densitometry variables (P<0·01) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL,CO; P = 0·002). Interpretation: Higher recovery for emphysema patients, relative to controls, is explained by larger diffusion distances in enlarged distal airspaces. The nanoparticle inhalation method shows potential to be developed towards a tool to diagnose emphysema.

Department/s

  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö
  • Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
  • Respiratory Medicine, Allergology, and Palliative Medicine
  • NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience
  • Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Malmö

Publishing year

2018-11

Language

English

Pages

1008-1014

Publication/Series

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging

Volume

38

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Respiratory Medicine and Allergy
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Keywords

  • AiDA
  • COPD
  • CT densitometry
  • Emphysema
  • Nanoparticles
  • Respiratory diagnostics

Status

Published

Research group

  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö
  • Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Malmö

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1475-0961