| Research question | Is lung clearance index a useful and cost-effective tool for the routine assessment and monitoring of changes in pulmonary status in people with cystic fibrosis? |
|---|---|
| Why this is needed | |
| Importance to ‘patients’ or the population | LCI measured by multiple-breath washout (MBW) is a more sensitive test of impaired lung function compared to FEV1, particularly in those with relatively normal pulmonary function. It may be a tool to help decisions on early intervention with treatment in children and adults with cystic fibrosis. |
| Relevance to NICE guidance | Validation of this tool for clinical care could change some recommendations for disease monitoring and treatment intervention. This is of particular relevance in pre-school children where FEV1 is not reliably performed. High: the research is essential to inform future updates of key recommendations in the guideline |
| Relevance to the NHS | If validated and adopted training in Physiology labs and new equipment would be required. In pre-school children it may identify those who require increased intervention, and those who potentially need less regular monitoring and less aggressive therapy. Targeted treatment may potentially have cost savings. |
| National priorities | No document identified |
| Current evidence base | FEV1 measurements are difficult to perform in preschool infants. FEV1 measurements often do not become abnormal until significant lung disease is established. |
| Equality | This test is of particular relevance to preschool children. |
| Feasibility | The proposed research can be carried out within a realistic timescale and at an acceptable cost. There are no ethical or technical issues. |
| Other comments | None |
From: 9, Pulmonary monitoring, assessment and management
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