Quality control for multiple breath washout tests in multicentre bronchiectasis studies: Experiences from the BRONCH-UK clinimetrics study

Katherine O'Neill, Gokul Lakshmipathy, Kathryn Ferguson nee McDowell, Denise Cosgrove, Adam Hill, Michael R Loebinger, M. Carroll, J Chalmers, Timothy Gatheral, C Johnson, A. DeSoyza, John R Hurst, I. Bradbury, Joseph Elborn, Judy Bradley

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Abstract

Introduction Multiple Breath Washout (MBW) to measure Lung Clearance Index (LCI) is increasingly being used as a secondary endpoint in multicentre bronchiectasis studies. LCI data quality control or “over-reading” is resource intensive and the impact is unclear. Objectives To assess the proportion of MBW tests deemed unacceptable with over-reading, and to assess the change in LCI (number of turnovers), LCI coefficient of variation (CV%) and tidal volume (VT) CV% results after over-reading. Methods Data were analysed from 250 MBW tests (from 98 adult bronchiectasis patients) collected as part of the Bronch-UK Clinimetrics study in 5 UK centres. Each MBW test was over-read centrally using pre-defined criteria. MBW tests with <2 technically valid and repeatable trials were deemed unacceptable to include in analysis. In accepted tests, values for LCI, LCI CV% and VT CV% before and after over-reading, were compared. Results Insufficient data was collected in 10/250 tests. With over-reading, 30/240 (12%) were deemed unacceptable to include in analysis. In those accepted tests, overall the change in LCI, LCI CV% and VT CV% with over-reading was not statistically significant. When MBW new sites were compared to MBW expert sites, the change in LCI with over-reading was significantly greater in MBW new sites (p = 0.047). Data suggests that over-reading could be important up to at least 12 months post initiation of MBW activity. Conclusion MBW over-reading was important in this study as 12% of tests were considered unacceptable. Over-reading improved test result accuracy in sites new to MBW.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)206-211
JournalRespiratory Medicine
Volume145
Early online date01 Nov 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2018

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