A Study of Volatile Organic Compounds in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Authors List
Gui, CH., Chong, KB., Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
Introduction
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) has significant implications for cardiovascular health, neurological health, mental illness, and quality of life when untreated. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosis. However, it is expensive, time-consuming, and not suitable for widespread use. The use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for breath analysis is a non-invasive, innovative, and efficient method that has the potential to provide clinical insights into OSA.
Aims
This study aims to examine and compare VOCs in patients with OSA versus healthy controls. Our study also seeks to determine the relationship between certain VOCs and Apnoea Hypopnea Index (AHI).
Methods
Between May 2022 and April 2024, patients who underwent Level 1 PSG were recruited after obtaining informed consent. Patients with an Apnoea Hypopnea Index (AHI) greater than 15 (moderate to severe OSA) comprised the case group, while those with an AHI less than 15 (none to mild OSA) comprised the control group. Breath samples were collected on the same day and analysed using proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS).
Results
A total of 49 moderate to severe OSA patients and 36 controls were enrolled in the study. The OSA group had a higher mean age (52.61 ± 11.36 years) compared to the control group (43.78 ± 13.18 years), with a higher male-to-female ratio (67.3% vs. 58.3%). Eight biomarkers were found to differ significantly between the OSA and control groups. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct patterns of breath contents for both OSA and control groups, with some overlap.
Conclusion
Our studies have identified several VOCs that show potential for differentiating between OSA and controls. Analysis of VOCs can serve as an adjunct screening tool in addition to existing questionnaires to stratify patients based on their risk of OSA.
Gui, CH., Chong, KB., Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
Introduction
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) has significant implications for cardiovascular health, neurological health, mental illness, and quality of life when untreated. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosis. However, it is expensive, time-consuming, and not suitable for widespread use. The use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for breath analysis is a non-invasive, innovative, and efficient method that has the potential to provide clinical insights into OSA.
Aims
This study aims to examine and compare VOCs in patients with OSA versus healthy controls. Our study also seeks to determine the relationship between certain VOCs and Apnoea Hypopnea Index (AHI).
Methods
Between May 2022 and April 2024, patients who underwent Level 1 PSG were recruited after obtaining informed consent. Patients with an Apnoea Hypopnea Index (AHI) greater than 15 (moderate to severe OSA) comprised the case group, while those with an AHI less than 15 (none to mild OSA) comprised the control group. Breath samples were collected on the same day and analysed using proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS).
Results
A total of 49 moderate to severe OSA patients and 36 controls were enrolled in the study. The OSA group had a higher mean age (52.61 ± 11.36 years) compared to the control group (43.78 ± 13.18 years), with a higher male-to-female ratio (67.3% vs. 58.3%). Eight biomarkers were found to differ significantly between the OSA and control groups. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct patterns of breath contents for both OSA and control groups, with some overlap.
Conclusion
Our studies have identified several VOCs that show potential for differentiating between OSA and controls. Analysis of VOCs can serve as an adjunct screening tool in addition to existing questionnaires to stratify patients based on their risk of OSA.
