Exacerbations in cystic fibrosis: 2 · Prevention
- 1Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane and School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
- 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Correspondence to:
Dr S C Bell
Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, Brisbane 4032, Australia; scott_bell{at}health.qld.gov.au
- Received 10 August 2006
- Accepted 31 January 2007
Abstract
The life span of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. Many factors have contributed to this improvement. Respiratory exacerbations of CF lung disease are associated with the need for hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment, reduction in the quality of life, fragmented sleep and mortality. A number of preventive treatment strategies have been developed to reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory exacerbations in CF including mucolytic agents, physiotherapy and exercise, antibiotics, nutritional strategies, anti-inflammatory treatments and vaccinations against common respiratory pathogens. The evidence for each of these treatments and their potential impact is discussed.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
