A research team has developed a preliminary blood test aimed at pinpointing adults who are at a heightened risk of serious respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This test examines 32 specific proteins identified by researchers as reliable indicators of an individual’s likelihood of needing medical attention for or succumbing to severe respiratory issues. The assessment originated from lung health data gathered from nearly 2,500 adults in the U.S. over a span of 30 years. The results were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
A research team backed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed a preliminary blood test designed to identify adults who are at an elevated risk of developing serious respiratory problems, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This blood test evaluates 32 proteins that experts found to be reliable predictors of an individual’s chances of needing medical assistance for severe respiratory illnesses or dying from them. The risk score was derived from lung health data collected over 30 years from nearly 2,500 U.S. adults. The findings have been published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
“Although this test is not yet ready for practical application, it represents a significant step forward,” remarked James P. Kiley, Ph.D., director of the Division of Lung Diseases at NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which financed the research. “It integrates decades of breathing assessments and medical reviews into a unified tool capable of pinpointing patients who are susceptible to severe degradation and complications.”
In creating the risk score, the researchers initially examined lung health data from 2,470 adults aged 18-30 who were part of a long-term cardiovascular health study. They then analyzed thousands of proteins from blood samples collected from these participants at the 25-year mark and chose 32 that most accurately indicated which individuals were experiencing a rapid decrease in lung function. These proteins were compiled into a score designed to estimate a person’s risk of requiring treatment for or dying from a respiratory ailment or severe breathing incident.
Adults with higher risk scores exhibited a 17% increased probability of needing hospitalization for respiratory issues, an 84% increased probability of developing COPD, and at least an 81% greater chance of dying from respiratory diseases, including COPD or pneumonia. They also faced a 10% heightened risk of respiratory flare-ups characterized by symptoms requiring treatment, such as coughing, mucus production, or shortness of breath.
“Gradual loss of lung function over the years correlates with adverse respiratory health outcomes. However, we currently lack an effective method to determine if a patient is experiencing a significant decline in lung function,” noted Ravi Kalhan, M.D., a coauthor of the study and the Louis A. Simpson Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Having a straightforward clinical tool, like a blood test, that captures a patient’s lung function status at one time could allow for earlier intervention, ultimately benefiting lung health.”
Participants in this extensive study underwent lung function tests several times, up to six assessments throughout the research period, along with other lung health evaluations. Over these years, 2,332 participants displayed a typical decline in lung function, while 138 experienced a pronounced decline.
To validate the risk score, researchers applied it retrospectively to evaluate respiratory disease risks among over 40,000 adults from two previous observational studies. This predictive model effectively identified adults at the highest risk for severe respiratory conditions, accounting for various factors including gender, race, weight, asthma history, and smoking.
“Just as cholesterol levels are used to assess heart attack risk, we are examining biological pathways to predict an individual’s risk of developing COPD or facing serious complications from it,” explained Gabrielle Y. Liu, M.D., a coauthor of the study, a pulmonologist, and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.
This particular blood test requires further investigation in clinical trials before it can be considered for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a screening tool for assessing risks of chronic respiratory diseases. Such conditions impact millions of adults globally and were the third leading cause of death in 2019. Primary risk factors include smoking, air pollution, and exposure to chemicals or irritants in the workplace such as gas, fumes, and dust.
