PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Elpis Hatziagorou
AU  - Vassiliki Georgopoulou
AU  - Kalliopi Kontouli
AU  - Vasiliki Avramidou
AU  - Fotis Kirvassilis
AU  - John Tsanakas
TI  - Exercise capacity as an index of progress of lung disease among children and adolescents with CF
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p1544
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1544.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1544.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - Background: Spirometry, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and exercise testing provide addional information about lung disease among children with cystic fibrosis (CF). There is significant correlation between levels of aerobic fitness (VO2 peak) and survival rate.Aim: To compare decline of exercise capacity, HRCT scores and lung function among children with CF over a period of two years.Method: Sixteen stable children and adolescents with CF, aged 8–19 years, performed spirometry and maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a cycle ergometer, as part of their annual review. At the same time the patients underwent low dose of radiation chest HRCT scans, with a Bhalla score assessment.Results: Sixteen stable children and adolescents with CF were evaluated (mean age 15.64±3.2 years and FEV1 38-94% predicted). There was evidence of mild exercise limitation during the cardiopulmonary exercise test, with mean Peak Aerobic Capacity (V'Opeak) 71.81±14.07% predicted. Evaluation of the study population two years later, showed that Bhalla total score, Peak Aerobic Capacity (V'Opeak) and Anaerobic Threshold (AT) deteriorated significantly (mean difference ±SD, p): 1.4±1.7, p: 0.029, -6.4±9.1, p: 0.022, -7.8±9.3, p: 0.006, respectively. Ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (V'E/V'CO2), Dead space/Tidal Volume Ratio (VD/VT) and FEV1 didn't deteriorate significantly (p: 0.321, p: 0.165 and p: 0.135, respectively).Conclusions: The maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test correlates well with HRCT scans; it is a very sensitive method for measuring progression of lung disease in children with CF.