CHEST Guidelines-Response

Response_chest (8)

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This document consists of correspondence regarding a study on the Lung Clearance Index (LCI) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Esther Oude Engberink and colleagues offer commentary on the study by O’Neill et al., suggesting that further analysis of clinimetric properties and comparison with healthy controls could provide more insight into clinically meaningful changes in CF. The original study primarily aimed at assessing intra-visit and inter-visit repeatability of LCI in both adults and children with CF. Authors O’Neill and colleagues acknowledged this feedback and presented additional data comparing coefficient of repeatability for healthy adults and children versus those with CF. The study found greater intra-visit variability in subjects with CF, consistent with other reports. Furthermore, inter-visit repeatability data did not show significant differences in stability across measurements, reinforcing the reliability of LCI over short and long terms in CF, despite greater variability compared to healthy subjects.<br /><br />The correspondence also touches on the establishment and diversity of Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERTs) across the United States. An online survey of National PERT Consortium members revealed that these teams are multidisciplinary, commonly formed in the years 2014/2015. The organizational structure of PERTs, their founding timelines, and specialty involvement were discussed, underscoring a trend toward more integrated, multidisciplinary care for acute pulmonary embolism.<br /><br />In summary, the document emphasizes the importance of expanded analysis in medical studies to delineate clinically meaningful changes and highlights a growing adoption of multidisciplinary teams in managing complex health conditions like pulmonary embolism and cystic fibrosis. This correspondence encourages ongoing research and organizational development to improve clinical outcomes.

Keywords

Lung Clearance Index

cystic fibrosis

clinimetric properties

intra-visit variability

inter-visit repeatability

Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams

multidisciplinary care

National PERT Consortium

clinical outcomes

medical studies