The efficacy of inhaled hypertonic saline for bronchiectasis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.
patients with bronchiectasis
inhaled hypertonic saline
0.9% isotonic saline
forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), sputum expectorated, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score
Abstract
The efficacy of inhaled hypertonic saline for bronchiectasis remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of inhaled hypertonic saline versus 0.9% isotonic saline for the treatment of bronchiectasis. We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through April 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of inhaled hypertonic saline versus 0.9% isotonic saline for the treatment of bronchiectasis. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. Four RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for bronchiectasis, inhaled hypertonic saline had no obvious influence on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, SMD = 0.12; 95% CI = -0.06 to 0.30; P = .18), forced vital capacity (FVC, SMD = 0.10; 95% CI = -0.09 to 0.28; P = .30), sputum expectorated (SMD = -0.03; 95% CI = -2.73 to 2.68; P = .99) or Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI = -0.89 to 0.58; P = .68). Inhaled hypertonic saline and 0.9% isotonic saline show similar efficacy for bronchiectasis.