Exhaled breath temperature measurement and asthma control in children prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: A cross sectional study

Abstract

EBT measurement was not related to measures of asthma control determined at the clinic. The routine intermittent monitoring of EBT in children prescribed inhaled corticosteroids who attend asthma clinics cannot be recommended for adjusting anti-inflammatory asthma therapy.

Exhaled breath temperature as a tool for monitoring asthma control after an attack in children

“…As rhinovirus is known to be the main cause of acute asthma exacerbations, rhinovirus was unsurprisingly detected in the majority of our subjects . The EBT is known to increase with viral infections . However, we did not detect a difference in the PLET between virally infected children and those without evidence of a viral illness.…”

“…However, in our study, eosinophil counts in the induced sputum were not correlated with either the EBT or FeNO. Although FeNO concentrations are known to correlate with eosinophilic airway inflammation, the measured level of eosinophilic inflammation does not always correlate with symptoms and pulmonary function . Other non‐eosinophilic airway inflammation (ie, neutrophilic inflammation) may be present in severe asthma, as evidenced in our study cohort.…”

“…Tidal breathing was maintained until the central heat sink reached a temperature plateau . Each exhalation increased the temperature inside the reservoir chamber until temperature equilibrium was reached . The plateau value at the end of the expiration (PLET) was recorded .…”

“…Inflammation of the bronchial mucosa increases local vascularization, consequently increasing the bronchial temperature. An increase in measured exhaled breath temperature (EBT) has been hypothesized to reflect the extra heat that is produced from the underlying airway inflammation in asthma . Therefore, EBT measurements have been suggested as a non‐invasive method of detecting and monitoring airway inflammation .…”

Pediatric pulmonology year in review 2016: Part 2

“…The search continues for useful biomarkers of inflammation in pediatric asthma management. Hamill et al investigated whether exhaled breath temperature, as a reflection of airway inflammation in asthma, is correlated with other asthma control measures. They demonstrated good repeatability of the test, but the results were not correlated with any other asthma control parameters such as asthma control test, exhaled nitric oxide or physicians' decision for treatment.…”