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.