Relationship between pulmonary hyperinflation and dyspnoea severity during acute exacerbations of cystic fibrosis.
Acute exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF) occur frequently throughout the course of the disease. Dyspnoea is the most common and distressing symptom experienced by patients during these episodes. We tested the hypothesis that pulmonary hyperinflation is an important determinant of dyspnoea severity during acute exacerbations.



We studied patients during an acute exacerbation of CF. Lung volumes, spirometry and dyspnoea scores were measured at Day 0, Day 7, at the end of treatment (EOT) and 14 days following the EOT.



At the start of treatment, mean residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) was 54.9%, which decreased significantly with treatment, as did vital capacity (VC), inspiratory capacity (IC) and dyspnoea scores. IC was the only independent predictor of dyspnoea severity.



Our study demonstrates significant improvements in hyperinflation, spirometry and dyspnoea scores with treatment of acute exacerbations of CF. Hyperinflation, rather than airflow limitation, may contribute towards the increased dyspnoea during exacerbations.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Trevor T
TT
Nicholson
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Peter J
PJ
Barry
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Deirdre F
DF
Waterhouse
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Geraldine M
GM
Nolan
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Edward F
EF
McKone
Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Referral Centre for Adult Cystic Fibrosis, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Charles G
CG
Gallagher
D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods; D000067251:Symptom Flare Up; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
cystic fibrosis; disease exacerbation; dyspnoea; lung function testing