Alternative outcomes for the multiple breath washout in children with CF.

Background: The lung clearance index (LCI) measured by multiple-breath washout (MBW) has been proposed as an outcome for clinical trials; however, MBW is time consuming and LCI can be affected by breathing pattern. We aimed to evaluate moment ratios and abbreviated LCI in school-aged children with mild-to-moderate CF lung disease.

Methods: Using existing data from three studies we assessed the sensitivity of moment ratios and abbreviated LCIs to (i) detect mild-to-moderate CF lung disease and (ii) detect treatment effects after 4 weeks of hypertonic saline or dornase alfa inhalation.

Multiple breath nitrogen washout: a feasible alternative to mass spectrometry.

Background: The lung clearance index (LCI), measured by multiple breath washout (MBW), reflects global ventilation inhomogeneity and is a sensitive marker of early cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Current evidence is based on a customized mass spectrometry system that uses sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a tracer gas, which is not widely available. Nitrogen (N2) washout may be better suited for clinical use and multi-center trials.

Chronic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection and exacerbation outcomes in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Chronic Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection is a risk factor for pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis (CF) but its impact on subsequent clinical outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic S. maltophilia infection and associated antimicrobial therapy on the recovery of forced expiratory lung volume in 1s (FEV(1)) following pulmonary exacerbation.