Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines. Chronic medications for maintenance of lung health.
General
Guideline Title
Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines. Chronic medications for maintenance of lung health.
Bibliographic Source(s)
- Mogayzel PJ Jr, Naureckas ET, Robinson KA, Mueller G, Hadjiliadis D, Hoag JB, Lubsch L, Hazle L, Sabadosa K, Marshall B, Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines. Chronic medications for maintenance of lung health. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Apr 1;187(7):680-9. [90 references] PubMed
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
Recommendations
Major Recommendations
Definitions of recommendation grade ( A, B, C, D, or I ), estimate of net benefit ( Substantial, Moderate, Small, or Zero/Negative ), and certainty of net benefit ( High, Moderate, or Low ) are provided at the end of the “Major Recommendations” field.
Summary of Recommendations Unchanged From Previous Guidelines
| Treatment | Recommendation | Certainty of Net Benefit | Estimate of Net Benefit | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhaled tobramycin—moderate to severe disease* | For individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), 6 years of age and older, with moderate to severe lung disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation strongly recommends the chronic use of inhaled tobramycin to improve lung function and quality of life, and reduce exacerbations. | High | Substantial | A |
| Inhaled tobramycin—mild disease* | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with mild lung disease and P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of inhaled tobramycin to reduce exacerbations. | Moderate | Moderate | B |
| Dornase alfa—moderate to severe disease* | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with moderate to severe lung disease, the CF Foundation strongly recommends the chronic use of dornase alfa to improve lung function, improve the quality of life, and reduce exacerbations. | High | Substantial | A |
| Dornase alfa—mild disease* | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with asymptomatic or mild lung disease, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of dornase alfa to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations. | High | Moderate | B |
| Inhaled hypertonic saline | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of inhaled hypertonic saline to improve lung function and quality of life and reduce exacerbations. | Moderate | Moderate | B |
| Azithromycin with P. aeruginosa | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of azithromycin to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations. | High | Moderate | B |
| Oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics, prophylactic use | For individuals with CF, the CF Foundation recommends against the prophylactic use of oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Moderate | Negative | D |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, without asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, the CF Foundation recommends against the routine use of inhaled corticosteroids to improve lung function or quality of life and reduce pulmonary exacerbations. | High | Zero | D |
| Oral corticosteroids | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, without asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, the CF Foundation recommends against the chronic use of oral corticosteroids to improve lung function, quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | High | Negative | D |
| Other inhaled antibiotics | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the chronic use of other inhaled antibiotics (i.e., carbenicillin, ceftazidime, colistin, gentamicin) to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Oral antipseudomonal antibiotics | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the routine use of chronic oral antipseudomonal antibiotics to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Leukotriene modifiers | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the routine chronic use of leukotriene modifiers to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Inhaled or oral N-acetylcysteine, or inhaled glutathione | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the chronic use of inhaled or oral N-acetylcysteine or inhaled glutathione to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Inhaled anticholinergics | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the chronic use of inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilators to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
*Severity of lung disease is defined by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted as follows: normal, >90% predicted; mildly impaired, 70%–89% predicted; moderately impaired, 40%–69% predicted; and severely impaired, <40% predicted (Flume et al. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines: chronic medications for maintenance of lung health. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;176:957–969).
New and Modified Recommendations
| Treatment | Recommendation | Certainty of Net Benefit | Estimate of Net Benefit | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivacaftor* | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with at least one G551D CF transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) mutation, the Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee strongly recommends the chronic use of ivacaftor to improve lung function and quality of life and reduce exacerbations. | High | Substantial | A |
| Inhaled aztreonam—moderate to severe disease† | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with moderate to severe lung disease and Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation strongly recommends the chronic use of inhaled aztreonam to improve lung function and quality of life. | High | Substantial | A |
| Inhaled aztreonam—mild disease† | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with mild lung disease and P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of inhaled aztreonam to improve lung function and quality of life. | Moderate | Moderate | B |
| Chronic use of ibuprofen (age <18 yr) | For individuals with CF, between 6 and 17 years of age, with an FEV 1 ≥60% predicted, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of oral ibuprofen, at a peak plasma concentration of 50–100 μg/ml, to slow the loss of lung function. | Moderate | Moderate | B |
| Chronic use of ibuprofen (age ≥18 yr) | For individuals with CF, 18 years of age and older, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the chronic use of oral ibuprofen to slow the loss of lung function or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Azithromycin without P. aeruginosa | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, without P. aeruginosa persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation recommends the chronic use of azithromycin should be considered to reduce exacerbations. | Moderate | Small | C |
| Chronic inhaled β2-adrenergic receptor agonists | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against chronic use of inhaled β2-adrenergic receptor agonists to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
| Oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics, chronic use | For individuals with CF, 6 years of age and older, with Staphylococcus aureus persistently present in cultures of the airways, the CF Foundation concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the chronic use of oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics to improve lung function and quality of life or reduce exacerbations. | Low | – | I |
*CF Foundation personnel did not participate in any activity related to ivacaftor.
†Severity of lung disease is defined by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted as follows: normal, >90% predicted; mildly impaired, 70%–89% predicted; moderately impaired, 40%–69% predicted; and severely impaired, <40% predicted (Flume et al. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines: chronic medications for maintenance of lung health. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;176:957–969).
Definitions:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Evidence Grading*
| Certainty of Net Benefit | Magnitude of Net Benefit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substantial | Moderate | Small | Zero/Negative | |
| High | A | B | C | D |
| Moderate | B | B | C | D |
| Low | I (insufficient evidence) | |||
The overall strength of the evidence is based on the certainty of the magnitude of benefit defined as benefit minus harm.
Quality of the Evidence*
High . The available evidence includes consistent results from well designed, well conducted studies in representative populations. This conclusion is therefore unlikely to be strongly affected by the results of future studies.
Moderate . The available evidence is sufficient to determine the effects of the preventive service on health outcomes, but confidence in the estimate is constrained by such factors as: the number, size, or quality of individual studies; inconsistency of findings across individual studies; limited generalizability of findings to routine primary care practice; lack of coherence in the chain of evidence. As more information becomes available, the magnitude or direction of the observed effect could change, and this change may be large enough to alter the conclusion.
Low . The available evidence is insufficient to assess effects on health outcomes. Evidence is insufficient because of: limited number or size of studies; important flaws in study design or methods; inconsistency of findings across individual studies; gaps in the chain of evidence; findings not generalizable; lack of information on important health outcomes. More information may allow estimation of effects on health outcomes.
Strength of Recommendation*
A . The committee strongly recommends that clinicians routinely provide this therapy. There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.
B . The committee recommends that clinicians routinely provide this therapy. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate, or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
C . The committee recommends that clinicians consider providing this therapy to selected patients depending on individual circumstances. However, for most individuals without signs or symptoms there is likely to be only a small benefit from this service.
D . The committee recommends against the therapy. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits. Clinicians should discourage the use of this service.
I . The committee concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. Evidence is lacking, of poor quality, or conflicting, and the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.
*Adapted from: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grade Definitions.
Clinical Algorithm(s)
None provided
Scope
Disease/Condition(s)
Cystic fibrosis
Guideline Category
- Management
- Treatment
Clinical Specialty
- Family Practice
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonary Medicine
Intended Users
- Advanced Practice Nurses
- Health Care Providers
- Nurses
- Physician Assistants
- Physicians
- Respiratory Care Practitioners
Guideline Objective(s)
- To provide guidance to clinicians in evaluating and selecting appropriate treatment for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF)
- To provide up-to-date evidence of safety and efficacy of chronic treatments of CF lung disease, including the use of novel therapies that have not previously been included in CF pulmonary guidelines
Target Population
Children aged ≥6 years and adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF)
Interventions and Practices Considered
- Inhaled tobramycin
- Dornase alfa
- Inhaled hypertonic saline
- Azithromycin
- Ivacaftor
- Inhaled aztreonam
- Chronic use of ibuprofen in patients <18 years
Note : The following were considered and recommended against: prophylactic use of oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics, inhaled corticosteroids, chronic use of oral corticosteroids.
Note : The following had insufficient evidence to recommend for or against use: other inhaled antibiotics (carbenicillin, ceftazidime, colistin, gentamicin), oral antipseudomonal antibiotics, leukotriene modifiers, inhaled or oral N-acetylcysteine, or inhaled glutathione, inhaled anticholinergics, chronic use of ibuprofen in patients ≥18 years, chronic inhaled β2-adrenergic agents, chronic use of oral antistaphylococcal antibiotics.
Major Outcomes Considered
- Pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory flow [FEF] between 25% and 75% of FVC [FEF25%-75%])
- Incidence of new infections
- Progression of lung disease
- Reduction in exacerbations
- Quality of life
- Adverse effects of medications
Methodology
Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
- Hand-searches of Published Literature (Primary Sources)
- Searches of Electronic Databases
Description of Methods Used to Collect/Select the Evidence
A multidisciplinary committee composed of 17 members reviewed the 2007 guidelines and developed a series of questions related to chronic drug therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF). An evidence review was commissioned from The Johns Hopkins University, with systematic reviews completed for each question. New reviews were conducted for each question, as some questions were new or revised, new medications and indications were considered, and because a full systematic review was not completed for all questions in the development of the 2007 guidelines. The review was limited to parallel and cross-over randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
In January 2011, the evidence review team completed searches of PubMed, Excerpta Medica (EMBASE) database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). They combined controlled vocabulary terms and text words for cystic fibrosis and each therapy being reviewed to create comprehensive search strategies. Reviews and animal studies were excluded; however, no date or language restrictions were applied during the search. The evidence review team also conducted manual searching of reference lists of included or eligible articles and relevant review articles, and asked the members of the guideline committee to review the included and excluded studies.
The original search was completed in January 2011. An additional review question on ivacaftor was added in December 2011 and the databases were searched for ivacaftor-related articles in December 2011.
Number of Source Documents
The search identified a total of 6,898 unique citations, of which 57 were included in the 2007 guidelines (see Figure 1 in the original guideline document). The current guidelines are based on review of 137 articles describing 84 studies (see Table 2 in the original guideline document). Because some questions addressed in the current guidelines differ from those posed in the 2007 guidelines, 14 studies reviewed previously were not included in the current literature review.
Methods Used to Assess the Quality and Strength of the Evidence
- Weighting According to a Rating Scheme (Scheme Given)
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Evidence
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Evidence Grading*
| Certainty of Net Benefit | Magnitude of Net Benefit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substantial | Moderate | Small | Zero/Negative | |
| High | A | B | C | D |
| Moderate | B | B | C | D |
| Low | I (insufficient evidence) |
|||
The overall strength of the evidence is based on the certainty of the magnitude of benefit defined as benefit minus harm.
Quality of the Evidence
High. The available evidence includes consistent results from well designed, well conducted studies in representative populations. This conclusion is therefore unlikely to be strongly affected by the results of future studies.
Moderate. The available evidence is sufficient to determine the effects of the preventive service on health outcomes, but confidence in the estimate is constrained by such factors as: the number, size, or quality of individual studies; inconsistency of findings across individual studies; limited generalizability of findings to routine primary care practice; lack of coherence in the chain of evidence. As more information becomes available, the magnitude or direction of the observed effect could change, and this change may be large enough to alter the conclusion.
Low. The available evidence is insufficient to assess effects on health outcomes. Evidence is insufficient because of: limited number or size of studies; important flaws in study design or methods; inconsistency of findings across individual studies; gaps in the chain of evidence; findings not generalizable; lack of information on important health outcomes. More information may allow estimation of effects on health outcomes.
*Adapted from: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grade Definitions.
Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
- Systematic Review
Description of the Methods Used to Analyze the Evidence
A multidisciplinary committee composed of 17 members reviewed the 2007 guidelines and developed a series of questions related to chronic drug therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF). An evidence review was commissioned from The Johns Hopkins University, with systematic reviews completed for each question. New reviews were conducted for each question, as some questions were new or revised, new medications and indications were considered, and because a full systematic review was not completed for all questions in the development of the 2007 guidelines. The review was limited to parallel and cross-over randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Detailed methods are contained in the online supplement (see the “Availability of Companion Documents” field).
Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
- Expert Consensus
Description of Methods Used to Formulate the Recommendations
Subcommittees were created to review the evidence summaries and draft recommendations for presentation to the entire committee. Final recommendations were graded using the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force scheme, which encompasses an estimate of net benefit and certainty of net benefit.
The current committee affirmed previous recommendations for several therapies. A comprehensive review of these recommendations can be found in the online supplement (see the “Availability of Companion Documents” field).
Rating Scheme for the Strength of the Recommendations
Strength of Recommendation*
A. The committee strongly recommends that clinicians routinely provide this therapy. There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.
B. The committee recommends that clinicians routinely provide this therapy. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate, or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
C. The committee recommends that clinicians consider providing this therapy to selected patients depending on individual circumstances. However, for most individuals without signs or symptoms there is likely to be only a small benefit from this service.
D. The committee recommends against the therapy. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits. Clinicians should discourage the use of this service.
I. The committee concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. Evidence is lacking, of poor quality, or conflicting, and the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.
*Adapted from: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grade Definitions.
Cost Analysis
A formal cost analysis was not performed and published cost analyses were not reviewed.
Method of Guideline Validation
- Internal Peer Review
Description of Method of Guideline Validation
A draft of the guidelines was posted on a secure web site for comment from Cystic Fibrosis Center care teams (physicians and ancillary care providers) and was revised as appropriate.
Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
Type of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations
The type of supporting evidence is specifically stated for each recommendation (see the “Major Recommendations” field).
Benefits/Harms of Implementing the Guideline Recommendations
Potential Benefits
Safe and effective use of medications for maintenance of lung health in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF)
Potential Harms
- There is concern that the chronic use of azithromycin in individuals with occult or active nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection could lead to resistance, and thus complicate NTM treatment. For this reason, the committee suggests that patients should be screened for NTM before initiating azithromycin, and reassessed periodically at 6- to 12-month intervals. In addition, this monotherapy should be withheld in those infected with NTM.
- The most common side effects of inhaled hypertonic saline are cough and bronchospasm, which are well tolerated, particularly if subjects are pretreated by an inhaled bronchodilator.
- Voice alteration was noted as the most common side effect of dornase alfa, occurring in up to 18% of patients.
- Recommendations for chronic use of medications are based on relatively short trials. The committee recognizes that many intervention trials, even those ideally designed, have a finite duration. It is likely that patients will use medications for years or even decades, and that side effects (or benefits) might arise after very long-term use that were not anticipated based on shorter studies. Thus, clinicians must continue to monitor individuals for possible unanticipated side effects of these therapies.
Qualifying Statements
Qualifying Statements
These updated guidelines are based on a systematic review of the published literature. However, any therapeutic decisions must be made individually for each patient. The guideline authors hope that these recommendations will help cystic fibrosis (CF) health care professionals, individuals with CF, and their families make informed health care decisions. It is anticipated that these recommendations will be revised as new information becomes available.
Implementation of the Guideline
Description of Implementation Strategy
An implementation strategy was not provided.
Implementation Tools
- Patient Resources
- Slide Presentation
Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Healthcare Quality Report Categories
IOM Care Need
- Living with Illness
IOM Domain
- Effectiveness
Identifying Information and Availability
Bibliographic Source(s)
- Mogayzel PJ Jr, Naureckas ET, Robinson KA, Mueller G, Hadjiliadis D, Hoag JB, Lubsch L, Hazle L, Sabadosa K, Marshall B, Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines. Chronic medications for maintenance of lung health. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Apr 1;187(7):680-9. [90 references] PubMed
Adaptation
Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.
Date Released
2013 Apr 1
Guideline Developer(s)
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Disease Specific Society
Source(s) of Funding
Supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Guideline Committee
Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee
Composition of Group That Authored the Guideline
Primary Authors : Peter J. Mogayzel, Jr., Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland; Edward T. Naureckas, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Karen A. Robinson, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland; Gary Mueller, Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio; Denis Hadjiliadis, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jeffrey B. Hoag, Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lisa Lubsch, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, Edwardsville, Illinois; Leslie Hazle, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, Maryland; Kathy Sabadosa, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, Maryland; Bruce Marshall, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, Maryland
Members of the Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee : Cynthia Brady, D.N.P., M.S.N., B.S.N., Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Margaret Guill, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH; Jane Matsui, M.S., B.S., Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE; Christopher M. Oermann, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor University, Houston, TX; James Royall, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK; Richard Simon, M.D., Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Financial Disclosures/Conflicts of Interest
Members of the committee disclosed any potential conflicts of interest. If any perceived conflict was present, members did not participate in any discussions or decisions on recommendations regarding that therapy. Author disclosures are available on the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Web site.
Guideline Status
This is the current release of the guideline.
Guideline Availability
Electronic copies: Available from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Web site.
Availability of Companion Documents
The following are available:
- Mogayzel PJ Jr, Naureckas ET, Robinson KA, Mueller G, Hadjiliadis D, Hoag JB, Lubsch L, Hazle L, Sabadosa K, Marshall B, Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines. Chronic medications for maintenance of lung health. Online data supplement. Electronic copies: Available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Web site.
Patient Resources
The following are available:
- Chronic medications: guidelines for CF lung health. Web cast. 2013. Available from the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation Web site. Also available as a slide presentation from the CF Foundation Web site.
- Therapies for cystic fibrosis. Information for patients. 2012 Feb. Available from the CF Foundation Web site.
Please note: This patient information is intended to provide health professionals with information to share with their patients to help them better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. By providing access to this patient information, it is not the intention of NGC to provide specific medical advice for particular patients. Rather we urge patients and their representatives to review this material and then to consult with a licensed health professional for evaluation of treatment options suitable for them as well as for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. This patient information has been derived and prepared from a guideline for health care professionals included on NGC by the authors or publishers of that original guideline. The patient information is not reviewed by NGC to establish whether or not it accurately reflects the original guideline’s content.
NGC Status
This NGC summary was completed by ECRI Institute on July 3, 2013. The information was verified by the guideline developer on July 18, 2013.
Copyright Statement
This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer’s copyright restrictions.
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