Longitudinal assessment of lung function from infancy to childhood in patients with cystic fibrosis

Amy N. Harrison, Warren E. Regelmann, Jacquelyn M. Zirbes, Carlos E. Milla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale: Infant pulmonary function testing (IPFT) has become an important clinical tool for the evaluation of lung function in infants with Cystic Fibrosis (CF); however, it is still unclear whether lung function in infancy is predictive of lung function later in life. We hypothesized that measures of airflow obstruction by IPFT would correlate strongly with lung function by conventional spirometry later in childhood. Study Design and Methodology: A retrospective analysis was performed of all CF infants studied with IPFT at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital between September 1994 and March 2003. Atotal of 41 patients underwent IPFT and had valid spirometry results available at age 6 or later IPFT values, such as I:E ratio, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and Tptef/Te, were calculated from tidal breathing loops. Passive respiratory system mechanics, which included Crs,Rrs, and trs, were measured by the single breath end-inspiratory occlusion technique. Forced expiratory flows, including VmaxFRC, FVC, FEF50, and FEF75, were obtained by rapid thoracic compression and included a full vital capacity maneuver by the multiple inflation method. FRC measurements were calculated from data obtained via nitrogen washout in a subset of patients. In addition, information on age at diagnosis and results of oropharyngeal (OP) cultures at diagnosis and on subsequent visits was recorded. Standard spirometry was performed in all patients starting at age 5. The first valid flow-volume loop after age six was selected for analysis. Results: Significant correlations were observed for the Rrsandthe FEF50by IPFT and the FEV1 and the FEF25-75 by standard spirometry (r > 0.4 and P< 0.03 for all correlations). These correlations were the strongest for those IPFT measurements obtained within 1 month of diagnosis and when Rrs was expressed as sGrs. The correlations observed were independent of the effects of age at diagnosis, gender and presence of Pseudomonas in oropharyngeal cultures at the time of diagnosis. Mean Rrs declined from 0.050 to 0.027 cmH2O/ml/sec with treatment (P< 0.0001). There were no other significant associations found between other IPFT values measured and FEV1 by spirometry. Conclusions: Measures of airflow obstruction on IPFT specifically Rrs,sGrs, and FEF50, were strongly correlated with future lung function. IPFT measurement of Rrsin addition to forced expiratory flows may help select patients at the greatest riskof early lung function decline. This study supports the use of Rrs as a surrogate variable to help assess the impact of early therapies in CF.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)330-339
Number of pages10
JournalPediatric pulmonology
Volume44
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Age
  • FEV1
  • Gender
  • Infant lung function testing
  • Longitudinal study
  • Pseudomonas
  • Spirometry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Longitudinal assessment of lung function from infancy to childhood in patients with cystic fibrosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this