Hypertonic saline and recombinant human DNase: a randomised cross-over pilot study in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent lethal autosomal recessive disease among Caucasians. In more than 90% of all patients the pulmonary involvement is the life-limiting factor. In the lung, the production of viscous sputum is a main and early clinical feature of CF. To help clear the lungs from this material mucolytic active drugs were used. Recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) w1x and hypertonic (5.85%) saline (HS) w2x both were mucolytic active and improved FEV1 in the same range in patients with CF. Besides this similarity there are differences such as the modulation of rheological parameters and costs. To determine whether these treatments can replace each other, we compared effect and acceptance in the same group of patients.