Use of lung clearance index to assess the response to intravenous treatment in cystic fibrosis

Progressive lung disease is the main cause of clinical deterioration and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Being able to assess the effectiveness of interventions is very significant. To assess the response to intravenous (IV) treatment among CF patients, using forced expired volume in 1(st) second (FEV1) and Lung Clearance Index (LCI) as outcome measures and to compare the effect of IV treatment on lung function and LCI between CF children being treated on a regular basis, or in case of a pulmonary exacerbation. Thirty-two CF patients (15 males) with mean age 9.90 (range: 2-23) years, performed spirometry and multiple breath washout (MBW) before and one month after IV antibiotic treatment. Nineteen patients received a course of elective treatment (group A) and 13 received IV antibiotic regimens for an acute exacerbation (group B). Statistically significant differences after treatment were seen in LCI (p≤0.001), and Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) z-scores (p