A breakthrough rapid test now identifies acute respiratory distress syndrome subtypes at the bedside within one hour. Researchers used near-patient immunoassays to measure inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and TNF receptor-1 alongside blood bicarbonate levels.
The test classifies patients into hyperinflammatory and hypoinflammatory subtypes. Among successfully subphenotyped patients, 18% were hyperinflammatory with a devastating 60-day mortality rate of 51%. The hypoinflammatory group showed a 28% mortality rate.
This large multicentre study provides first prospective evidence that these biological subtypes can be reliably identified in real time. Previous research relied on retrospective analysis, limiting clinical application. The hyperinflammatory subtype remained strongly associated with increased mortality even after adjusting for confounding factors.
The findings support precision medicine approaches in critical care, enabling targeted treatment strategies and improved patient stratification for clinical trials. Researchers emphasize the need for subtype-specific therapies to address this life-threatening condition affecting intensive care units worldwide.