Document Detail


Mucus, phlegm, and sputum in cystic fibrosis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19467160     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Although some clinicians still believe that cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is largely due to hypersecretion of very viscous mucus, it has never been demonstrated that there is mucus hypersecretion in CF and it is clear that there is almost no intact mucin (the principal polymeric component of normal mucus) in CF sputum. CF sputum has lower viscosity when compared to asthma or bronchitis sputa, but is highly tenacious and biochemically most closely resembles pus. Tenacity and lower viscosity lead to decreased cough clearance of infected phlegm, which is thought to induce a persistent inflammatory state in the airway, leading to bronchiectasis. There are many medications and devices either in use or under development that are meant to improve airway hygiene in CF by assisting with sputum expectoration. This paper discusses the scientific basis and potential mechanism of action for many of these interventions and briefly reviews the clinical evidence of their safety and effectiveness.
Authors:
Bruce K Rubin
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Respiratory care     Volume:  54     ISSN:  0020-1324     ISO Abbreviation:  Respir Care     Publication Date:  2009 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-05-26     Completed Date:  2009-07-21     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7510357     Medline TA:  Respir Care     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  726-32; discussion 732     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem NC 27157-1081, USA. brubin@wfubmc.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Cystic Fibrosis / drug therapy,  metabolism*
Disease Progression
Expectorants / therapeutic use
Humans
Mucus / secretion*
Respiratory Mucosa / secretion*
Sputum / secretion*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Expectorants

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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