Conclusion
We have described the significant impact of sleep-disordered breathing
in the CF population. Underdiagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing leads
to undertreatment, which adversely effects multiple outcomes in this
patient population. More studies are needed to understand the best
screening modalities and treatment options for CF patients. It is
essential that our community closely look at this comorbidity, and build
up our comfort in screening for and treating this condition. As we await
future research, we can make the following recommendations with
reasonable confidence:
(1) Pediatric CF clinicians should ask about snoring during routine
visits.
(2) Existing screening questionnaires do not accurately guage
sleep-disordered breathing in the CF population.
(3) When evaluating for sleep-disordered breathing in the CF population,
an in-lab PSG should be obtained rather than an HSAT.
(4) CF clinicians should be cautious when prescribing oxygen alone for
nocturnal hypoxia.
(5) CF clinicians should be comfortable prescribing noninvasive
ventilation for CF patients with sleep-disordered breathing.