A recent study examined the changes in lung function in adults with cystic fibrosis using a test called FOT, and determined its efficacy in detecting changes in the respiratory system.
The team observed, in agreement with previous studies, that adult Cystic Fibrosis patients are prone to obstructive airway disease. Specifically, Cystic Fibrosis patients exhibited a significant increase in RV (residual volume) and the RV/TLC ratio (residual volume per total lung capacity), when compared to controls. As a result, adults with Cystic Fibrosis have increased respiratory resistance, i.e., higher resistance from the respiratory tract to airflow during inspiration and expiration, accompanied by a decrease in the homogeneity of ventilation throughout the lungs and lung compliance (the ability for lungs to stretch and expand).
The authors highlight that these alterations were successfully detected by combining the FOT with the eRIC model. Therefore, FOT, the team suggests, is a new complementary approach to measure and follow pulmonary function in adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
