A New Test for Emphysema that Diagnoses it Earlier

What it would be like to have to struggle to take a breath? Breathing is something most of us take for granted - but not people with emphysema. Emphysema is a disease that's most common in smokers. This common lung disease destroys the elasticity of the air sacs deep in the lungs, which makes it harder to blow out air with each breath.

The earlier a person gets an emphysema diagnosis, the sooner they can make the necessary lifestyle changes - and get the treatment they need to help them breathe more freely. Now researchers have developed a new blood test for emphysema that could diagnose this disease before the symptoms even start.

Emphysema Tests: A New Blood Test for Emphysema on the Horizon?

Currently, to make an emphysema diagnosis, doctors use physical, chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests that measure how well a person's lungs are functioning. One called the DLCO is the gold standard for making the diagnosis of emphysema. It measures how well gases move from the lungs into the bloodstream, which is reduced in people with emphysema. Unfortunately, none of these tests diagnose emphysema early - before the symptoms appear.

If there were emphysema tests that could make the diagnosis early, a person could make the decision to stop smoking before the disease destroys more lung function. Scientists have found a way to do this. They measure small particles shed by the tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli

Alveoli transport oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream - and carbon dioxide back into the lungs from the blood so it can be exhaled. These particles called endothelial microparticles or EMP are shed in normal lungs, but people with emphysema shed even more of them. This can be picked up through a blood test.

How Does This Test for Emphysema Compare to Other Emphysema Tests?

Measuring EMP was as good as the DLCO test for diagnosing emphysema, and it has the added benefit of picking it up at an earlier stage. This is good news since this new EMP emphysema test is inexpensive and quick, which makes it a winner for both doctor and patient.

The Bottom Line?

Researchers will do more testing to ensure the test is as accurate as they think before introducing it to the market. This means that long-term smokers or people at high risk for emphysema will have an inexpensive blood screening test available for diagnosing emphysema. This will allow them to take steps to stop the progression of emphysema early on - so they and their families can breathe a little easier.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "Simple Blood Test Detects Early Emphysema in Smokers Before Symptoms Appear"

Professional Guide to Diseases. Ninth Edition. 2009.