TY - JOUR T1 - Nebulised 7% hypertonic saline improves health related quality of life in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - 2978 AU - Rachel Johnston AU - Fiona Shaw AU - Robert Wilson AU - Michael Loebinger AU - Lizzie Flude Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/2978.abstract N2 - Introduction: Cough and sputum have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL) in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBx). Nebulised 7% hypertonic saline (HTS) has previously been shown to improve airway clearance in NCFBx, and we hypothesised that it would also improve QoL in such patients.Method: Patients with NCFBx referred for HTS over a 4 month period at Royal Brompton Hospital were included (N=22). Patients were assessed by the Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) as a marker for Health Related Quality of Life (HRQol), Visual Analogue Scale for ease of clearance (VASEoC) and FEV1 pre and post 1 month use of HTS. Results are expressed as median and interquartile range and Wilcoxon-signed Rank tests were used to assess the impact of the therapy.Results: N=22 (Male=7), median age 64yrs (32-81), FEV1 1.59 (0.64-3.01). There was a significant improvement in LCQ 11.0 (9.2-14.7) to 16.7 (10.7-17.7) p=0.01 and VASEoC 7 (5.5- 8) to 4.7 (3-7) p=0.002. There was no significant change in FEV1(p=0.32). 4 patients (18%) constricted on challenge test, and were not included in analysis. No other adverse effects of the therapy were seen.Conclusion: In addition to confirming that HTS improves airway clearance, we demonstrated for the first time that HTS also improves HRQol markers in patients with NCFBx. The minimal clinical significant difference in the LCQ is reported to be 1.3-2.7. There was therefore a statistically and clinically significant change in the total LCQ score, suggesting HRQol significantly improved with one month use of HTS. Further trials with HTS are needed to assess whether these improvements are sustained long term in such patients. ER -