Clinical Pediatrics: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

LCI as a Marker of Disease Progression in Saudi Paediatric CF Population?

Adnan Zafar*, Wadha Alotaibi and Khalid Al-Mobaireek

Aims: Cystic fibrosis in children forms a significant disease burden in Saudi children. Due to lack of new-born screening, many patients are diagnosed relatively late. Disease surveillance by efficient monitoring measures is vital for halting disease progression. LCI (Lung Clearance Index) is commonly used in western world and is a very reliable toll in preschool as well as school going population. We reviewed at best available evidence to make local clinicians think about adopting this test.

Methods: We searched for comprehensive articles for LCI in preschool and school going children in PubMed. The quality appraisal and selection of the final two articles was selected by all three authors adopting CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Program).

Results: Articles by Aurora et al. and Stanojevic et al. were selected for inclusion for this review.

Conclusions: LCI is a consistent method of monitoring lung health in cystic fibrosis children, particularly in preschool children. LCI is more sensitive than spirometry in detecting lung function abnormalities in patients with CF beyond infancy. It needs effort by clinicians from tertiary care centers to be adopted and implemented in CF centers in Saudi Arabia

Published Date: 2019-07-03; Received Date: 2019-06-12