Abstract
Aim: To compare disease severity assessed by exercise testing, spirometry, MBW and HRCT among 32 patients with CF; to evaluate the deterioration of exercise testing parameters over a two-year period compared to the change of spirometry, LCI and HRCT.
Methods: Thirty-two CF patients were evaluated with exercise testing, MBW spirometry, and HRCT over a seven-year period. Correlations among spirometry, exercise testing, MBW and HRCT assessments were performed. Twenty-six patients were evaluated with HRCT, spirometry and exercise testing twice, over a two-year period. The change of each parameter and their correlation, over the two-year period were evaluated.
Results: 58 measurements were performed in 32 CF patients (mean age 16.6 years, mean FEV1 80.24%). FEV1 correlated significantly with Bhalla score (p0.001), VOpeak% (p0.014), Breathing Reserve (p<0.0001), VE/VO2 (p 0.012), LCI (p<0.0001), M1M0 (p 0.002) and M2M0 (p<0.0001). LCI correlated significantly with Breathing Reserve (p 0.012), VEVO2 (p 0.001), VEVCO2 (p 0.015) and Bhalla score (p<0001). FEV1 was not found to change significantly in the two-year period (p=0.892). Mean Bhalla score, mean LCI and mean VO2max% deteriorated significantly (p<0.001) over the two year period. VE / VO2 during maximal exercise could predict the extent of bronchiectasis and the total Bhalla score (p< 0.05). VE/VCO2 at peak exercise could predict the severity of bronchiectasis (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: Exercise testing and MBW are more sensitive than spirometry in detecting changes of lung disease among patients with mild and moderated CF; exercise testing may predict early structural abnormalities in patients with CF.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015