The influence of lifestyle factors on fecal volatile organic compound composition as measured by an electronic nose

Abstract

Introduction: Fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous metabolic products which are increasingly considered potential non-invasive biomarkers for the detection of various (gastrointestinal) diseases. The influence of lifestyle factors on fecal VOC patterns remains unexplored but is of importance prior to implementation of VOC analysis as a diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, dietary preferences, medication use and co-morbidity on fecal VOC patterns. Methods: For this study, fecal samples of patients undergoing a colonoscopy were collected prior to endoscopy. All participants completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors, co-morbidity and medication use. Patients without colonic abnormalities were included in this study. Fecal VOC patterns were analyzed by means of an electronic nose (eNose) device (Cyranose® 320). Results: From the 1039 participants willing to participate in the initial study, 211 were eligible as controls. All unique lifestyle variables investigated in this study affected the fecal VOC composition. The strongest influences were caused by low BMI, a vegetarian diet and an active smoking status, whereas the least influence was found for the variables gender, age > 55 years and previous smokers. Discussion: Age, gender, BMI, smoking habits, dietary preferences, co-morbidity and medication use all have unique effects on fecal VOC composition. Future studies should carefully consider this influence on VOC outcome when defining VOC signatures as biomarker for diagnostic purposes.

Early detection and follow‐up of colorectal neoplasia based on faecal volatile organic compounds

“…smoking status, BMI and use of antibiotics), gender and age did differ between groups. Age and gender have previously been shown to influence faecal VOC profiles and we were therefore not able to exclude this possible bias [18]. However, even though differences between controls and polypectomy patients were present in terms of age and gender, faecal VOC profiles did return to a 'normal state' after polypectomy, which suggests that neither of these variables had a great influence on VOC patterns.…”

Systematic review with meta‐analysis: volatile organic compound analysis to improve faecal immunochemical testing in the detection of colorectal cancer

“…47 This process is heavily influenced by external factors such as diet, smoking and medication. 48 Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the VOC profile would be different at different stages of CRC. Similarly, the effects of medications were not evaluated in the studies included for FIT meta-analysis.…”

Simultaneous Assessment of Urinary and Fecal Volatile Organic Compound Analysis in De Novo Pediatric IBD

“…All controls were successfully matched to a case based on age and gender. Additionally, there were no differences in BMI between groups, which is a known factor affecting the VOC profile outcome [35]. By comparison of two different bodily excrements, concurrently collected by participants, we were able to identify the most suitable bodily excrement to analyze.…”

“…Additionally, cases and controls could not be matched based on the possible confounding effect of medication use because of the variety of types of medication that were reported. One control patient was using esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, that has been shown to influence the fecal VOC pattern [35,37]. Although the other reported medicines have not been described to affect the VOC profile, this difference might have influenced the VOC outcome.…”