A short-term comparison of two methods of sputum expectoration in cystic fibrosis

The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated maximum inspiratory vital capacity manoeuvres against a fixed resistance increased effective short-term sputum clearance in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Twenty adults with CF were randomised to receive, on alternate days, either standardised physiotherapy (SP) for 30 min, comprising postural drainage and the active cycle of breathing technique, or a series of resistive inspiratory manoeuvres (RIM) at 80% of their maximum sustained inspiratory pressure developed between residual volume and total lung capacity during the first 4 days of the treatment of an exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. Expectorated sputum was collected during and for 30 min after each treatment and weighed. Total protein, immunoreactive interleukin (IL)-8 and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) concentrations, and the amount of each component expectorated, were determined. Compared with SP, RIM increased sputum weight two-fold, independent of treatment order or day. The concentrations of protein, IL-8 and HNE in sputum were similar for both treatments, while the quantity expectorated was greater with RIM treatment. In conclusion, short-term resistive inspiratory manoeuvres treatment was more effective at clearing sputum and inflammatory mediators than standardised physiotherapy.