[Cystic fibrosis: how to use pulmonary function tests].
BACKGROUND
Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to early dedicated specialist care for all patients.


BACKGROUND
Pulmonary function tests (PFT) are mandatory for routine monitoring of CF patients. The aim of this article is to review the current guidelines for PFTs in CF, particularly the type of test, the age and the clinical status of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The regular use of spirometry is generally accepted. Many other tests are used but their clinical value in the routine follow-up of CF patients remains to be established.


CONCLUSIONS
Further efforts should be made to evaluate the value of PFTs in CF, particularly in very young children.
Counil
F P
FP
CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France. f-counil@chu-montpellier.fr
Karila
C
C
Le Bourgeois
M
M
Matecki
S
S
Lebras
M N
MN
Couderc
L
L
Fajac
I
I
Reynaud-Gaubert
M
M
Bellet
M
M
Gauthier
R
R
Denjean
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000145:classification; D013147:Spirometry; D014939:Work of Breathing / Q000502:physiology