BREATH HYDROGEN (H2) ANALYSIS IN GASTROENTEROLOGIC FUNCTION-TESTS - VALIDATION OF A PORTABLE BREATH H2-ANALYZER

Breath hydrogen (H-2) analysis, as used in gastroenterologic function tests, requires a stationary analysis system equipped with a gaschromatograph or an electrochemical sensor cell. Now a portable breath H-2-analyzer has been miniaturized to pocket size (104 mm x 62 mm x 29 mm). The application of this device in clinical practice has been assessed in comparison to the standard GMI-exhaled monitor. The pocket analyzer showed a linear response to standards with H-2-concentrations ranging from 0-100 ppm (n = 7), which was not different from the GMI-apparatus. The correlation of both methods during clinical application (lactose tolerance tests, mouth-to-coecum transit time determined with lactulose) was excellent (Y = 1,08 X + 0,96; r = 0,959). Using the new device, both, analysis (3 s vs. 90 s) and the reset-time (43 s vs. 140 s) were shorter whereas calibration was more feasible with the GMI-apparatus. It is concluded, that the considerably cheaper pocket-sized breath H-2-analyzer is as precise and sensitive as the GMI-exhaled monitor, and thus presents a valid alternative for H-2-breath tests.