title: Airway clearance techniques used by people with cystic fibrosis in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the current use of airway clearance techniques among people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the UK, and the baseline characteristics for users of different airway clearance techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the UK CF Registry 2011 data.
  
  
  METHODS
  All people with CF in the UK aged ≥11 years (n=6372).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 6372 people on the UK CF registry in 2011, 89% used airway clearance techniques. The most commonly used primary techniques were forced expiratory techniques (28%) and oscillating positive expiratory pressure (PEP) (23%). Postural drainage and high-frequency chest wall oscillation were used by 4% and 1% of people with CF, respectively. The male:female ratio of individuals who used exercise as their primary airway clearance technique was 2:1, compared with 1:1 for other techniques. Individuals with more severe lung disease tended to use devices such as non-invasive ventilation or high-frequency chest wall oscillation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Forced expiratory techniques and oscillating PEP are the most common airway clearance techniques used by people with CF in the UK, and postural drainage and high-frequency chest wall oscillation are the least common techniques. This is significant in terms of planning airway clearance technique trials, where postural drainage has been used traditionally as the comparator. The use of airway clearance techniques varies between countries, but the reasons for these differences are unknown.
authors.affiliation: Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK; School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: zhhoo@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Hoo
authors.affiliation: York Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, York Hospital, York, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.affiliation: Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK; School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wildman
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Teare
authors.affiliation: Regional Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK; School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D058109:Airway Management; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D035641:Chest Wall Oscillation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015916:Drainage, Postural / Q000379:methods; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Epidemiology; Physiotherapy; Registries