title: What defines a pulmonary exacerbation? The perceptions of adults with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no standardised definition of a pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis (CF). In attempting to achieve standardised criteria it is important to identify patient-reported indicators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were undertaken with 47 adults with CF. Participants were asked to report symptoms experienced during a pulmonary exacerbation in two ways: the first symptoms they become aware of, and how they subsequently recognised when they were improving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A range of systemic and respiratory symptoms were reported. Their relative importance varied by severity of disease. The severity and subsequent improvement of an exacerbation was often described as limitations on their activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data suggest that patient-reported indicators of a pulmonary exacerbation may not be the same for all adults with CF. Whether different indicators are associated with specific demographic or clinical variables remains to be evaluated.
authors: University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. jabbott@uclan.ac.uk
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Abbott
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Holt
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hart
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Morton
authors: L
authors: L
authors: MacDougall
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pogson
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Milne
authors: H C
authors: HC
authors: Rodgers
authors: S P
authors: SP
authors: Conway
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult