PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Noor AL-Khathlan
AU  - Erol Gaillard
AU  - Caroline Beardsmore
TI  - Lung clearance index (LCI) and hyperinflation in children with cystic fibrosis (CF)
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P1451
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1451.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1451.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Introduction: LCI is used to detect early CF lung disease.1,2,3 However, there are few data relating changes in LCI to lung volumes, and extent of hyperinflation, in children with CF.1 Therefore, we aimed to look at the association between LCI derived from multiple-breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) and two indices of hyperinflation (i) residual volume/total lung capacity (RV/TLC), and (ii) the difference between FRC determined by plethysmography (FRCp) and MBNW (FRCN2).Methods: Children with CF completed MBNW and plethysmography as part of their annual review. All tests were performed, analysed and reported according to ATS/ERS recommendations. The difference between FRCp and FRCN2 was expressed as a % of FRCp and called FRCdiff. Results were examined using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.Results: 37 children with CF (aged 5-17) completed lung function tests. A significant correlation was found between LCI and RV/TLC (r=0.516, p=0.001)(Figure), and between LCI and FRCdiff (r=0.413, p=0.011).Discussion: The adoption of LCI as an ideal marker for early lung disease requires that it should correspond to established markers of abnormalities in lung function.2 Our findings showed comparable decline in LCI and indices of hyperinflation in children with CF.References:1. Horsley, A. et al. 2008; Respir Physiol and Neurobiology; 162: 197-2032. Aurora, P. 2010; Thorax; 65: 373-3743. Gustafsson et al. 2008; Thorax 2008 63: 129-134.