Analysis of breath acetone for nutritional assessment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Analysis of breath acetone for the non-invasive assessment of nutrition in surgical patients
IRAS ID
237581
Contact name
George Hanna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Malnutrition commonly occurs in surgical patients and negatively effects outcomes. Explanation for this is complex but principally reflects changes in the way our bodies use energy when suffering from an illness. This can be the result of the illness itself and/or the treatment that is given by doctors. Patients groups who are at particular risk from malnutrition include those with cancer, chronic disease, emergency conditions and advanced age.\n\nMethods that are commonly used to assess nutrition in hospital patients, including weight and blood albumin, do not accurately reflect the complex changes that are occurring within the body.\n\nThe non-invasive measurement of acetone (a small molecule produced within the body) in exhaled breath may offer an alternative method of assessing nutrition. Previous studies (including our own) have shown that levels of acetone within exhaled breath accurately reflect changes in patient’s food consumption and breakdown of body fat after both dieting and surgery.\n\nThis study intends to explore the role of breath acetone as a marker of nutrition in hospital patients. Breath acetone levels will be compared to other measurements, including: height, weight, diet, blood markers and where practical measurements of the different amounts of fat and muscle within the body.
Summary of Results
In this study we investigated the effect of oesophageal (gullet) cancer treatment on markers of nutrition.
Findings showed a wide variation in patients fat and muscle levels at diagnosis. Treatment with chemotherapy generally led to a loss of fat and muscle and well as other nutritional parameters. These changes could be used to predict patients at risk of complication after surgery.
This study has now led to a much larger international study that will look at how fat and muscle can predict survival in oesophageal cancer patients.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0101
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion