Effectiveness of Hypertonic Saline Nebulization in Airway Clearance in
Children with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A randomized control
trial
Abstract
Abstract INTRODUCTION: Effective Airway Clearance Techniques (ACT) is
the key step in the management of Bronchiectasis. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the efficacy of 3% Hypertonic Saline (HS)
pre-medication in ACT in children with non Cystic Fibrosis (non-CF)
bronchiectasis. METHODS: Five to 15 year old children with non-CF
bronchiectasis were randomized either to receive 200µg of inhaled
salbutamol followed by hypertonic saline nebulization (test) or only
200µg of inhaled salbutamol, prior to chest physiotherapy which is the
conventional ACT (controls) for 8 weeks. After completion of first phase
both groups went through one month washout period, before being crossed
over to the opposite arms in the second phase. Spirometric parameters
were recorded at the end of each phase. RESULTS: Fifty two children
completed the study. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were
similar. A significantly higher mean improvement was seen in predicted
Forced Expiratory Volume in one second(FEV1) in the HS arm during phase
1 [HS=14.15±5.50 vs. conventional =5.04±5.55, p=0.001] and phase II
[HS =10.81±5.51 vs. conventional =3.54 ±5.13, p=0.001]. HS arm
showed a significantly higher mean improvement in predicted Forced Vital
Capacity(FVC) in phase I[HS=13.77±5.73 vs. conventional= 7.54±4.90,
p=0.001] and phase II, [HS=9.42±7.00 vs. conventional =4.42±4.00,
p=0.003). Mean number of exacerbations experienced by a single child
during phase I (2 months) were significantly less (p=0,001) in HS group
compared to that of conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating HS
nebulization into ACT is an effective strategy to improve dynamic lung
volumes and morbidity in children with non-CF bronchiectasis.