Single breath count test and its applications in clinical practice: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Neurology
• Diagnostic Testing

Background:

• The Single Breath Count Test (SBCT) offers a reproducible, rapid, and easily interpretable alternative to spirometry, particularly in resource-limited environments.
• Renewed interest in SBCT has emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its utility in telemedicine applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize the existing evidence on the clinical application and effectiveness of the Single Breath Count Test (SBCT).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across EMBASE, PubMed, and Google Scholar.
• Study selection and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers, adhering to PRISMA guidelines and using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
• A systematic review methodology was employed to synthesize findings from qualified studies.

Main Results:

• Thirteen articles were included in the systematic review.
• SBCT demonstrated >80% sensitivity in diagnosing myasthenia gravis exacerbations (SBCT > 25) and 95.2% specificity in predicting mechanical ventilation needs for Guillain-Barre syndrome patients (SBCT ≤ 5).
• SBCT showed significant correlation with FEV1 and FVC in pediatric pulmonary conditions and aided in ruling out the need for noninvasive respiratory support in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

• The Single Breath Count Test (SBCT) is a valuable asset for prognosis and management guidance in respiratory and neuromuscular diseases.
• Its utility is particularly pronounced in low-resource settings and telemedicine, offering a practical diagnostic approach.