Abstract
Background: In Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung function testing is a useful tool for monitoring progression of lung disease. Studies in CF children have shown that lung clearance index (LCI) is significantly greater than healthy controls. Aim: The objectives of this study were: (a) To compare LCI among CF preschoolers (aged 2 to 5 years) and healthy controls and (b) to assess the effect of two-week iv antibiotic treatment on LCI among CF preschoolers with CF. Method: Twenty-eight children with CF (20 were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 27 healthy controls performed Multiple-Breath Washout (MBW) measurements and LCI was assessed. The ones with Ps. aeruginosa infection were measured again one month following a two-week course of iv antibiotics. Results: Children with CF had significantly higher LCI compared to controls (mean difference for CF vs control [95%CI] 2.6 [1.8, 3.7], p< 0.001). Children with CF who were infected with Ps. aeruginosa had significantly higher LCI, when compared with Ps. Negative CF children (mean difference [95%CI]: 1.75 [0.38, 3.5], p< 0.05). LCI was reduced significantly after two-weeks course of iv antibiotics (mean difference [95%CI]: −1.97 [1.2, 3.6], p< 0.001). Conclusions: LCI is a sensitive marker to detect lung function abnormalities among preschoolers with CF. It can be used to assess severity of the disease and the effect of treatment.
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