Indirect monitoring of lung inflammation.

The assessment of airway inflammation by non-invasive methods could provide a signal to start anti-inflammatory treatment before the onset of symptoms and the impairment of lung function. It could also be useful in the follow-up of patients with lung disease, and for guiding drug treatment. Measuring inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate is potentially the easiest way to quantify lung inflammation. The clinical applicability of this method could facilitate the practice of respiratory medicine.