title: Measurement of parasternal intercostal electromyogram during an infective exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: The parasternal intercostal muscle electromyogram (sEMGpara) is a measure of neural respiratory drive and reflects lung disease severity in stable cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the study was to measure sEMGpara in acute infective exacerbations of CF and compare changes in sEMGpara with those in conventional lung function measures. 12 patients with CF admitted to hospital with an acute chest infection were studied. There was a significant reduction in mean ± SD sEMGpara (ΔsEMGpara -38 ± 19%, p<0.001) between admission and discharge. Spirometery also improved significantly from admission to discharge; Δforced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted 39 ± 30%, p<0.001 and Δvital capacity % pred 22 ± 18%, p<0.001. sEMGpara has potential value as a nonvolitional measure of change in respiratory function in CF.
authors.affiliation: King's College London Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology Dept of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9PJ, UK. charles.c.reilly@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jolley
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elston
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moxham
authors.forename: Gerrard F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Rafferty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004576:Electromyography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*