Cirilli Natalia, Padoan Rita, Raia Valeria
Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Pediatrics, Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Presidio Ospedaliero G. Salesi, Via Corridoni 11, 60123 Ancona, Italy.
J Cyst Fibros. 2008 Sep;7(5):415-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2008.03.005. Epub 2008 May 5.
Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis is confirmed using sweat test. The aim of our study was to evaluate current techniques and methodologies in use at Italian CF Care Centres.
A series of questions related to the performance of the sweat test was collected by all CF Care Centres in Italy. Answers were compared with UK and NCCLS guidelines.
39/41 Centres replied to the questionnaire. A good adherence to guidelines was registered for storing samples before analysis in 90.9%, while performing CF diagnosis by at least two sweat tests, and chloride analysis were reported respectively in 100% and 75.7% of Centres. Some inconsistencies were registered for minimum acceptable sweat quantity and time to collect sweat inadequate in respectively 42.5% and 24.2% of Centres, while performing quality control procedures and referring to an external quality assessment scheme were found inadequate in respectively 54.6% and 100%. 57.6% didn't provide any appropriate analytical ranges and only 15.1% of Centres offered proper information to patients/parents. A report form, including sweat quantity, reference ranges and interpretation, was adequate only for 9.4 up to 41.4% of CF Centres.
Our study showed areas of inconsistencies in sweat testing current practices in Italy and highlights the need for evidence based national guidelines to improve practice and management strategies.
囊性纤维化的诊断通过汗液测试来确认。我们研究的目的是评估意大利囊性纤维化护理中心目前使用的技术和方法。
意大利所有囊性纤维化护理中心收集了一系列与汗液测试性能相关的问题。将答案与英国和美国国家临床实验室标准委员会（NCCLS）的指南进行比较。
41个中心中的39个回复了问卷。90.9%的中心在分析前储存样本方面符合指南要求，而100%的中心报告至少通过两次汗液测试进行囊性纤维化诊断，75.7%的中心报告进行氯化物分析。在分别42.5%和24.2%的中心中，记录到最低可接受汗液量和收集汗液时间不一致，而在分别54.6%和100%的中心中，发现进行质量控制程序和参考外部质量评估计划不足。57.6%的中心未提供任何合适的分析范围，只有15.1%的中心向患者/家长提供了适当信息。一份包括汗液量、参考范围和解释的报告表，在41.4%至9.4%的囊性纤维化中心是足够的。
我们的研究显示了意大利目前汗液测试实践中存在不一致的领域，并强调需要基于证据的国家指南来改善实践和管理策略。
