Bronchial Hyperreactivity Related to Inhalation Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

It is presumed that bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) can occur with any inhaled agent and may be a reason for discontinuation of inhalation therapy in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. On the other hand, inhalation of antibiotics is being increasingly used to eradicate or treat infections. This review focuses on identifying the mechanisms of BHR for a better understanding of its impact on inhalation treatment. BHR in CF is suggested to be secondary to underlying airway disease (associated to poor pulmonary function, chronic inflammation and aerosol distribution) or to be a separate condition occurring more in CF. Furthermore, certain characteristics of the aerosol solution itself, such as the active molecule, chemical additives and particle size, can cause BHR. Recombinant human DNase (rhDNase), hypertonic saline (HS) and the antibiotics tobramycin, colistin and aztreonam lysine for inhalation (AZLI) are frequently used inhalation drugs in the treatment of CF. Prevalence of BHR related to both short and long-term inhalation of these drugs as reported in the literature was investigated. Acute BHR is documented in up to two thirds of CF patients. Despite the widespread use of rhDNase, HS, tobramycin, colistin and AZLI, only one long-term trial looked for, but did not demonstrate, BHR at the end of the trial period.