The objective of this document was to standardise published cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) protocols for improved interpretation in clinical settings and multicentre research projects. This document: 1) summarises the protocols and procedures used in published studies focusing on incremental CPET in chronic lung conditions; 2) presents standard incremental protocols for CPET on a stationary cycle ergometer and a treadmill; and 3) provides patients' perspectives on CPET obtained through an online survey supported by the European Lung Foundation. We systematically reviewed published studies obtained from EMBASE, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to January 2017. Of 7914 identified studies, 595 studies with 26 523 subjects were included. The literature supports a test protocol with a resting phase lasting at least 3 min, a 3-min unloaded phase, and an 8- to 12-min incremental phase with work rate increased linearly at least every minute, followed by a recovery phase of at least 2–3 min. Patients responding to the survey (n=295) perceived CPET as highly beneficial for their diagnostic assessment and informed the Task Force consensus. Future research should focus on the individualised estimation of optimal work rate increments across different lung diseases, and the collection of robust normative data.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

This statement summarizes the information available on specific exercise test protocols and outcome parameters used in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and provides expert consensus recommendations for protocol and performance of exercise tests and basic interpretation of results for clinicians. The conclusions were reached employing consensus meetings and a wide-band Delphi process. Although data on utility are currently limited, standardized exercise testing provides detailed information on physiological health, allows screening for exercise-related adverse reactions and enables exercise counselling. The Godfrey Cycle Ergometer Protocol with monitoring of oxygen saturation and ventilatory gas exchange is recommended for exercise testing in people 10 years and older. Cycle ergometry only with pulse oximetry using the Godfrey protocol or treadmill exercise with pulse oximetry - preferably with measurement of gas exchange - are second best options. Peak oxygen uptake, if assessed, and maximal work rate should be reported as the primary measure of exercise capacity. The final statement was reviewed by the European Cystic Fibrosis society and revised based on the comments received. The document was endorsed by the European Respiratory Society.

RATIONALE: The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for survival in cystic fibrosis (CF) in the context of current clinical management, when controlling for other known prognostic factors is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic value of CPET-derived measures beyond peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) following rigorous adjustment for other predictors. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data from 10 CF-centers in Australia, Europe and North America were collected retrospectively. 510 patients completed a cycle CPET between January 2000 and December 2007, of which 433 fulfilled the criteria for a maximal effort. Time to death/lung transplantation (LTx) was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. In addition, phenotyping using hirarchical Ward's clustering was performed to characterize high risk subgroups. Cox regression showed-even after adjustment for sex, forced expiratory volume in 1s (%predicted), body mass index (z-score), age at CPET, Pseudomonas aeruginosa status, and CF-related diabetes as covariates in the model-that VO2peak in %predicted, hazard ratio (HR) 0.964 [95%-CI: 0.944-0.986], peak work rate (%predicted, HR 0.969 [0.951-0.988], ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2peak) HR 1.085 [1.041-1.132], and carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2peak), HR 1.060 [1.007-1.115], all P<0.05) were significant predictors of death or LTx at 10 years follow-up. Phenotyping revealed that CPET-derived measures were important for clustering. We identified a high risk cluster characterized by poor lung function, nutritional status and exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CPET provides additional prognostic information to established predictors of death/LTx in CF. High risk patients may especially benefit from regular monitoring of exercise capacity and exercise counselling.

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Rationale The long-term effects of vigorous physical activity (PA) on lung function in cystic fibrosis are unclear. Objectives To evaluate effects of a 12-month partially supervised PA intervention using motivational feedback. Methods In a parallel-arm multicenter randomized controlled trial (ACTIVATE-CF), relatively inactive patients aged at least 12 years were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to an intervention group or control group. The intervention group consented to add 3 hours of vigorous PA per week, whereas the control group was asked not to change their PA behavior. Primary endpoint was change in percent predicted FEV 1 (ΔFEV 1 ) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included PA, exercise capacity, exercise motives, time to first exacerbation and exacerbation rates, quality of life, anxiety, depression, stress, and blood glucose control. Data were analyzed using mixed linear models. Measurements and Main Results A total of 117 patients (40% of target sample size) were randomized to an intervention (n = 60) or control group (n = 57). After 6 months, ΔFEV 1 was significantly higher in the control group compared with the intervention group (2.70% predicted [95% confidence interval, 0.13–5.26]; P = 0.04). The intervention group reported increased vigorous PA compared with the control group at each study visit, had higher exercise capacity at 6 and 12 months, and higher PA at 12 months. No effects were seen in other secondary outcomes. Conclusions ACTIVATE-CF increased vigorous PA and exercise capacity, with effects carried over for the subsequent 6 months, but resulted in better FEV 1 in the control group.

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RS incidence in EoS is substantially higher than that reported within other populations, and than previously reported in the UK. A possible association with intrauterine Methadone exposure warrants further investigation.