Breath ketone analyzers non-invasively detect ketosis in adults with type 1 diabetes: Study

A recent study in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications has pointed out that a non-invasive breath ketone analyzer may be considered as a screening tool to rule out ketosis in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). According to Halis Kaan Akturk and colleagues, it may be a good alternative for ketone monitoring in adults with T1D, but not in children.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening complication of type 1 diabetes. In order to prevent DKA, ketone monitoring is essential. Though, blood ketone monitoring is an accurate way of monitoring but is expensive. To look for a less expensive method, Dr. Akturk from University of Colorado, Aurora, CO,USA, and team aimed to assess the accuracy of a breath ketone analyzer to detect ketosis in adults and children with type 1 diabetes.

To fulfill their purpose, the researchers designed a proof-of-concept, prospective study comparing breath ketone analyzer and blood ketone meter to detect ketosis.

A total of 500 measurements from 19 adults and children with type 1 diabetes were analyzed. Based on the analysis, the researchers found the following:

There was a significant association between the breath ketone analyzer and blood ketone meter results in non-fasting adults, but not in children.

In adults, a cut-off of 3.9 PPM on the breath ketone analyzer maximized the Youden Index with an AUC of 0.73.

This cut-off for the breath ketone analyzer had 94.7% sensitivity and 54.2% specificity to detect ketosis (≥0.6 mmol/L in blood ketone meter).

Dr. Akturk, and colleagues concluded, "The breath ketone analyzer may be considered as a non-invasive screening tool to rule out ketosis in adults with type 1 diabetes."

Reference:

Halis Kaan Akturk, Janet Snell-Bergeon, Laura Pyle, Emily Fivekiller, Satish Garg, Erin Cobry, Accuracy of a breath ketone analyzer to detect ketosis in adults and children with type 1 diabetes, Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 2021, 108030, ISSN 1056-8727, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.108030.

- medicaldialogues.in.