UNMC Study Seeks Biomarker for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction, a Misunderstood Breathing Disorder
OMAHA, Neb. – University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers have launched a pilot study to identify a potential biomarker for inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), formerly known as vocal cord dysfunction, a condition often misdiagnosed as allergies or asthma. The study, recently approved by the institutional Review board, aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for the breathing disorder.
ILO occurs when tissues in or above the vocal cords move inappropriately, causing airway closure and symptoms like throat tightness, shortness of breath, cough, a choking sensation, and hoarseness. ”A lot of patients come in thinking they’re having allergic reactions,” explained Jen luedders, MD, assistant professor in the UNMC Division of Allergy and immunology. “Then, when we really look, they don’t actually have allergies, and instead it’s this inappropriate functioning in the throat.” Some patients experience chronic cough as a primary symptom.Currently, ILO is definitively diagnosed through a scoping procedure of the throat, a process Dr. Luedders says can be life-changing for patients. “I’ve had some patients with symptoms so severe they’re afraid to leave their house because they’re worried they’ll encounter their trigger,” she said.”When we can get them the actual diagnosis, they get their lives back.”
The study will analyze levels of 12 neuropeptides in nasal wash samples from 15 individuals with ILO and chronic cough, comparing them to samples from 15 healthy control patients. Researchers are utilizing the MicroWash device, developed at UNMC by Michael Wadman, MD, professor and chair, and Thanh Nguyen, PhD, assistant professor, both of the UNMC Department of emergency Medicine, for sample collection.
Dr. Luedders emphasized the study’s exploratory nature.”This is a very early study to gather information that could be used to help with either diagnostics or therapeutics for the disease.”
UNMC is currently recruiting healthy control patients to participate by providing nasal wash samples.
