Capillary electrophoretic analysis of ionic content in exhaled breath condensate and pH monitoring as a non-invasive method in gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnostics

Abstract

In this study, the ionic profile and pH of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in a group of patients with acid and weakly acid reflux and no-reflux controls were compared. A portable sampler was used for non-invasive EBC collection from five exhalations. The ionic profile (anions, cations, organic acids) and pH of the collected EBC samples were measured by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection and a pH microelectrode, respectively. Several ions were elevated in the patient groups. Sodium cation was elevated in weakly acid reflux (significance level p < 0.01) and acid reflux (p < 0.05) compared to no-reflux controls. Butyrate and propionate were elevated in both acid reflux and weakly acid reflux compared to no-reflux controls (butyrate: p < 0.01, propionate: p < 0.05). The median values of pH (after de-aeration with N2) were also significantly higher (p < 0.01) in groups with acid reflux and weakly acid reflux than in the control group with no reflux. The ionic analysis and simultaneous pH measurement offer a simple, cheap, fast, and non-invasive approach in gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnostics.