Non-invasive Ventilation and Oxygen Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis Patients With Nocturnal Oxygen Desaturation

Cystic fibrosis is the commonest life-limiting genetic disorder in the Caucasian population with a median survival of 31 years. Lung disease is responsible for the majority of morbidity and mortality and correlates with declining quality of life. Respiratory failure is the primary cause of death. Daytime respiratory failure (hypoxia with pO2<55 and/or hypercapnia with pCO2>50) is associated with a worse prognosis with a 2-year survival of 50%. Nocturnal respiratory failure (greater than 5% of the night spent with SpO2<90% and/or rise in PtcCO2>10mmHg overnight) is a precursor to the development of daytime respiratory failure. It has been postulated that earlier treatment of respiratory failure may improve outcome and quality of life.

Intervention: Nocturnal O2 and bilevel NIPPV in CF patients with nocturnal respiratory failure, compared to nocturnal placebo (air). Crossover trial utilising patients as their own control.

Aims: (1) To assess the effects of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and oxygen (O2) therapy on quality of life, hospital admission rate, sleep quality and exercise tolerance in CF patients with NRF (2) To identify a level of severity of NRF where treatment with NIV is effective

Inclusion criteria

proven diagnosis cystic fibrosis, age 18 years or older, FEV1< 70% predicted normal, clinically stable (no admission or antibiotics last 2 weeks, OR end of admission where further clinical improvement not expected), nocturnal respiratory failure (SpO2<90% for > 10% of night or rise in PtcCO2 > 5 mmHg in REM), daytime hypercapnia (PaCO2> 45 mmHg)

Exclusion criteria

Previous home O2 or NIV use, Sedative medications, Cardiac/renal/endocrine/neurological disease likely to compromise ventilatory control