Jaipur-Based Doctor Develops Tool for Early Diagnosis of Serious Lung Disease

The new tool, named HP-SAQE (South Asian Questionnaire for Environmental Exposure), was developed by Dr Sheetu Singh and has demonstrated over 90% accuracy.

A Jaipur-based pulmonologist has developed a new diagnostic tool aimed at improving the early detection of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP).

The new tool, named HP-SAQE (South Asian Questionnaire for Environmental Exposure), was developed by Dr Sheetu Singh and has demonstrated over 90% accuracy.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is a major contributor to Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which causes scarring of lung tissue and can significantly impair respiratory function. The condition is relatively common in South Asian countries, including India, but remains difficult to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms with other respiratory illnesses.

Commenting on the new tools, Dr Sheetu Singh stated, the HP-SAQE tool is designed as a structured questionnaire that evaluates a patient’s exposure to environmental risk factors such as birds, dust, and damp conditions. A score above a defined threshold indicates a high likelihood of the disease, enabling clinicians to initiate further diagnostic evaluation.

She added, “The tool can help in early and accurate diagnosis, which is important as symptoms like cough and breathlessness are often confused with other diseases.”

Dr Singh further noted that the tool is intended to address region-specific challenges in diagnosing lung diseases by incorporating environmental exposure patterns prevalent in South Asia. It is based on clinical data collected from patients across multiple countries in the region, supporting its broader applicability.

Early diagnosis remains a key challenge in managing HP, as symptoms such as persistent cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and weight loss are often mistaken for other respiratory conditions.

The introduction of a simplified, structured assessment tool could help clinicians differentiate HP more effectively and initiate timely treatment, the reports stated.

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