RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Radiological and functional changes over 3 years in young children with cystic fibrosis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 279
OP 285
DO 10.1183/09031936.00051406
VO 30
IS 2
A1 S. W. J. Terheggen-Lagro
A1 H. G. M. Arets
A1 J. van der Laag
A1 C. K. van der Ent
YR 2007
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/30/2/279.abstract
AB The aim of the present study was to evaluate airway disease progression assessed by chest radiology, expiratory interrupter resistance (Rint,exp) and spirometry in young children with cystic fibrosis (CF) over a 3-yr period. Two chest radiographs combined with two Rint,exp measurements were performed with a 3-yr interval in 21 preschool children (age (mean±sd) 3.2±0.9 yrs) and 30 schoolchildren with CF (age 7.2±1.9 yrs). Chest radiographs were scored using five different CF scoring systems and Rint,exp measurements were expressed as height-adjusted Z-scores. Spirometry was assessed in schoolchildren and the results were expressed as a percentage of predicted values. Chest radiograph scores worsened significantly over the 3-yr period and a tendency towards more pronounced changes was observed, especially for the Wisconsin score, in preschool children. Most preschool and schoolchildren had Rint,exp Z-scores within the normal range at start and follow-up, and the annual change in Rint,exp Z-score was not significant. In schoolchildren, only the forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of forced vital capacity declined significantly during the study period. In summary, in young children with cystic fibrosis, chest radiograph scores worsen significantly over time even while lung function remains stable.