Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery
Published on: February 14, 2019
Feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care: a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study
Georgia Woodfield1, Ilaria Belluomo1, Piers R Boshier1
1Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Objectives:
To examine the feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care.
Design:
Non-randomised, prospective, mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study.
Setting:
Twenty-six urban primary care practices.
Participants:
1002 patients aged 18-90 years with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Main Outcome Measures:
During the first 6 months of the study (phase 1), feasibility of patient enrolment using face-to-face, telephone or SMS-messaging (Short Message Service) enrolment strategies, as well as processes for breath testing at local primary care practices, were evaluated. A mixed-method iterative study design was adopted and outcomes evaluated using weekly Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, focus groups and general practitioner (GP) questionnaires.During the second 6 months of the study (phase 2), patient and GP acceptability of the breath test and testing process was assessed using questionnaires. In addition a 'single practice' recruitment model was compared with a 'hub and spoke' centralised recruitment model with regards to enrolment ability and patient acceptability.Throughout the study feasibility of the collection of a large number of breath samples by clinical staff over multiple study sites was evaluated and quantified by the analysis of these samples using mass spectrometry.
Results:
1002 patients were recruited within 192 sampling days. Both 'single practice' and 'hub and spoke' recruitment models were effective with an average of 5.3 and 4.3 patients accrued per day, respectively. The 'hub and spoke' model with SMS messaging was the most efficient combined method of patient accrual. Acceptability of the test was high among both patients and GPs. The methodology for collection, handling and analysis of breath samples was effective, with 95% of samples meeting quality criteria.
Conclusions:
Large-scale breath testing in primary care was feasible and acceptable. This study provides a practical framework to guide the design of Phase III trials examining the performance of breath testing in primary care.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:27Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...