title: [Cystic fibrosis: how to use pulmonary function tests].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: CHU Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France. f-counil@chu-montpellier.fr
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Counil
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karila
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Bourgeois
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matecki
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Lebras
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couderc
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fajac
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reynaud-Gaubert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellet
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Denjean
mesh_terms: 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