Respiratory impedance in children with cystic fibrosis using forced oscillations in clinic

¹ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
² Dept of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; and Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia
³ Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia; and Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁴ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia; and Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Stephen.Stick{at}health.wa.gov.au.

	Abstract

Measurement of lung function is an important component of clinical management in cystic fibrosis (CF) but has been difficult in young children. This study aimed to characterise the utility of the forced oscillation technique to measure lung function in preschool-age children with CF in a routine clinical setting.

Lung function was assessed in 56 young children (2–7 years) with CF. Resistance and reactance at 6, 8 and 10Hz (Rrs6, Rrs8, Rrs10, Xrs6, Xrs8 and Xrs10, respectively) were measured and expressed as Z scores. Children were classified as asymptomatic or symptomatic based on an administered respiratory questionnaire and physical examination at the time of testing. Between-test repeatability was assessed in 25 children.

Measuring lung function using FOT was feasible in the CF clinic. Children with CF, as a group, had Z-scores for Rrs6 (p<0.001), Rrs8 (p<0.001), Rrs10 (p<0.001), Xrs6 (p<0.001) and Xrs8 (p=0.02) significantly different from zero. Children with current symptoms had significantly decreased Xrs (p<0.05) and increased Rrs6 (p=0.02) compared to asymptomatic children.

Measuring lung function with FOT is feasible in young children with CF in a clinical setting. The technique has the potential to improve our knowledge on early CF lung disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Udomittipong, P. D. Sly, H. J. Patterson, C. L. Gangell, S. M. Stick, and G. L. Hall Forced oscillations in the clinical setting in young children with neonatal lung disease Eur. Respir. J., June 1, 2008; 31(6): 1292 - 1299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]