Breath acetone in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Difference of breath acetone between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is examined under informed consent. We measure acetone in mouth air and in deep breath by Gas Analyzer® XG-100V (New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) and volatile sulfide compound in mouth air by Breathtron® (New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan), after meal. The acetone ratio of deep exhaled breath to mouth air and concentration of volatile sulfide compound (VSC) are com- pared between type 1 and type 2 DM patients. The acetone ratio of deep exhaled breath to mouth air is significantly higher in type 1 DM than type 2 DM patients. The concentration of VSC shows no significant difference. Though more cases should be studied, there is a possibility that the acetone ratio might reflect metabolic disorder of type 1 DM patients.