NEBULIZED AMILORIDE IN RESPIRATORY EXACERBATIONS OF CYSTIC-FIBROSIS -A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective-To assess the benefit of nebulised amiloride added to the st andard inpatient treatment of a respiratory exacerbation in cystic fib rosis. Design-Prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlle d trial. Subjects-27 cystic fibrosis patients (mean age 12.8 years). S etting-Two hospitals in Leeds, UK. Results-Both forced expiratory volu me in one second (FEV(1)) and forced vital capacity (FVC) showed impro vements over the course of treatment, although there was no difference in respiratory function between the two groups at any of three time p eriods during the study. The time to reach peak FVC was significantly reduced in the amiloride group (4.2 v 7.6 days; 95% CI 0.4 to 6.4 days ), but not in the time to reach peak FEV(1) (5.7 v 7.9 days; 95% CI -1 .2 to 5.6 days). Conclusions-Amiloride did not result in a greater ove rall improvement in respiratory function. There was a suggestion that it may have an effect on the rate of improvement, and thus may possibl y influence the duration of treatment. This hypothesis deserves furthe r evaluation.