Accuracy of the Electronic Nose Breath Tests in Clinical Application: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

(1) Background: An electronic nose applies a sensor array to detect volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath to diagnose diseases. The overall diagnostic accuracy remains unknown. The objective of this review was to provide an estimate of the diagnostic accuracy of sensor-based breath tests for the diagnosis of diseases. (2) Methods: We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases for studies published between 1 January 2010 and 14 October 2021. The search was limited to human studies published in the English language. Clinical trials were not included in this review. (3) Results: Of the 2418 records identified, 44 publications were eligible, and 5728 patients were included in the final analyses. The pooled sensitivity was 90.0% (95% CI, 86.3–92.8%, I2 = 47.7%), the specificity was 88.4% (95% CI, 87.1–89.5%, I2 = 81.4%), and the pooled area under the curve was 0.93 (95% CI 0.91–0.95). (4) Conclusion: The findings of our review suggest that a standardized report of diagnostic accuracy and a report of the accuracy in a test set are needed. Sensor array systems of electronic noses have the potential for noninvasiveness at the point-of-care in hospitals. Nevertheless, the procedure for reporting the accuracy of a diagnostic test must be standardized.

Keywords

• volatile organic compound
• electronic nose
• sensors
• breath test
• breathomics