title: A novel respiratory symptom scoring system for CF pulmonary exacerbations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is currently no simple scoring system to evaluate change in symptoms during a pulmonary exacerbation (PEx) in adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 265 episodes in 58 adult CF patients. A simple symptom score was administered at the start and the end of each PEx. The score evaluated four symptoms: cough, sputum, breathlessness and fatigue. Each symptom was scored from one (mild symptoms) to four (severe symptoms). The total symptom score was the summation of all the four symptoms. The total symptom score was compared with CF Respiratory Questionnaire (CFRQ) and with spirometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant internal correlation between scores for each pair of symptoms. The total symptom score correlated with the functional activity score and the respiratory score domains and with the summary score for CFRQ. The total symptom score correlated with spirometry values. Symptom score improved after 2-week treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics in 88.3%, remained unchanged in 7.3% and worsened in 4.4% of all episodes. Changes in symptom score after IV treatment correlated with changes of all main spirometry measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new symptom score is simple and sensitive to change over a short period. It correlates with established quality-of-life questionnaires and with spirometry. The changes of symptom score over a short period correlate with changes in spirometry. This score can be used as an added tool to assess the outcome of CF PExs.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK. Nabil.Jarad@uhbristol.nhs.uk
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Jarad
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Sequeiros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013183:Sputum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*