NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH

A blood test developed by researchers at UC Davis Health and other institutions may predict the risk of severe respiratory conditions, potentially leading to earlier intervention and prevention of serious lung disease. The test, based on a risk score derived from 32 proteins and 30 years of lung health data, identifies adults likely to develop severe respiratory issues, with higher scores indicating increased risk of hospital care, COPD, and respiratory death. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, suggests early detection could improve lung function and quality of life.