Sodium channel blockers for cystic fibrosis

Topical administration of short-acting sodium channel blocker may not improve respiratory condition in people with cystic fibrosis and may even cause a decline in lung function.

A Cochrane review included 5 studies with a total of 226 subjects examining the topical administration of the short-acting sodium channel blocker, amiloride, compared to placebo. In 3 studies over 6 months, there was a significant difference found in the difference in relative change in FVC in favour of placebo (WMD -1.51%, 95% CI -2.77 to -0.25), although heterogeneity was evident (I²=92%). A two-week study demonstrated that hypertonic saline with amiloride pre-treatment did not result in a significant improvement in respiratory function or mucus clearance, in contrast to pre-treatment with placebo. There were no significant differences identified in other clinically relevant outcomes.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment) and by inconsistency (variability in results across studies).

Ədəbiyyat

1. Burrows EF, Southern KW, Noone PG. Sodium channel blockers for cystic fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014;(4):CD005087. .