New Study Suggests Breath Testing Could Help Monitor Lupus Disease Activity and Fatigue

In a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases researchers found that compounds detected in exhaled breath may offer a promising, noninvasive way to better understand and monitor systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including disease activity, inflammation and fatigue.

Researchers analyzed the breath samples of 30 people with SLE and 30 healthy controls using a specialized “breathomics” technology that measures volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are tiny molecules released through breathing that can reflect processes happening throughout the body. They identified distinct breath “signatures” linked to lupus disease activity, immune system regulation, gut health and fatigue burden. Notably, one compound called methyl acetate was found at lower levels in participants with higher disease activity and fatigue levels, suggesting it may play a role in regulating the immune system. Other compounds were higher in participants with more active disease and greater fatigue. 

Importantly, researchers noted that fatigue-related breath changes were not entirely explained by disease activity alone, reinforcing previous findings that fatigue in lupus is complex and may persist even when inflammation is controlled.

While additional research is needed, the findings suggest that breath analysis could serve as a noninvasive way to monitor important processes linked to lupus, as well as shed light on what may contribute to fatigue. Breathomics could become a valuable tool for personalized lupus care and for better understanding the disease’s diverse forms. Learn more about the connection between lupus and the lungs.

Read the study