Sleep disruption in cystic fibrosis

There has been a growing recognition that patients with cystic fibrosis have disrupted sleep. Current literature suggests that nocturnal episodes of hypoventilation with oxyhemoglobin desaturation are the predominant sleep disturbances with a limited understanding of other potential processes. This disturbed sleep can impose a significant burden on patients, particularly in the areas of daytime symptoms and quality of life. Some early evidence suggests that nocturnal supportive ventilation provides physiologic benefits as well as improvements in quality of life. Further objective studies are needed to identify other contributors to sleep fragmentation and to evaluate outcomes with nocturnal supportive ventilation.