P166 utility of lung clearance index (LCI_2.5) as an outcome measure in cystic fibrosis clinical trials – perspectives of people with cystic fibrosis and LCI_2.5 operators

Kilarski, E., Taylor, E., Abkir, M., Saunders, C., Cunningham, S., Lewis, S., Neilson, A., Ensor, H., Miller, D., Bowen, D., Lacey, E., Vogiatzis, I., Allen, L., Soilemezi, D., Saynor, Z. and Urquhart, D. (2024) P166 utility of lung clearance index (LCI_2.5) as an outcome measure in cystic fibrosis clinical trials – perspectives of people with cystic fibrosis and LCI_2.5 operators. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 23 (Suppl. 1), S106-S107. (doi:10.1016/S1569-1993(24)00428-4).

Abstract

Objectives: we explored the perspectives of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and multiple breath washout (MBW) operators regarding the use of LCI_2.5 in the ‘Exercise as an Airway Clearance Technique in CF (ExACT-CF)’ trial.

Methods: LCI_2.5 was measured at baseline and 28-days by nitrogen-multiple breathwashout (N2-MBW; Exhalyzer-D, EcoMedics, Switzerland), with training and over-reading support provided by the ECFS-CTN LCI Core Facility and the UK CF Trust Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform (London). A subsample of participants, parents and trial staff also undertook semi-structured interviews regarding their trial experiences, including outcome measures. Participants were also invited to complete a short bespoke questionnaire focused on ease and comfort of performing N₂-MBW, perceptions regarding time to do the test, and their willingness to perform N₂-MBW in the future; using a Likert (1–5) scale. Free-text comments were also analysed. Qualitative interview transcripts were thematically analysed using a Framework Approach and any outcomes relating to N₂-MBW collated.

Results: of 50 participants recruited into the trial, MBWwas performed in 49. Of the 15 questionnaire respondents (6 paediatric, 9 adults), 86.7% ranked the test as easy or very easy to perform, 93.3% ranked it comfortable or very comfortable, and 86.7% would be willing to perform the test again. Further qualitative insight into the use of LCI_2.5 will be presented at the conference.

Discussion: questionnaire responses and qualitative data frompwCF in the ExACT-CF study suggest that N₂-MBW is easy to perform, comfortable to do, and is a test that pwCF across a range of ages and disease severities would be willing to do again. Study participants did not perceive an excessive time burden with N₂-MBW and qualitative and questionnaire information supports the ease of performing the test; however the low sample size is acknowledged.

Funding: NIHR Research for Patient Benefit grant (NIHR203185).

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Contributors

Author: Z. Saynor

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