Trends and Methodology in Sweat Testing for Cystic Fibrosis

The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) depends on a carefully performed sweat test using reliable methodology. This article describes the current status of sweat testing methodology in North Carolina and compares it with results from a study done more than a decade ago. While the less reliable chloride electrode remains the most popular method for sweat testing, more sweat tests are performed annually using the CF Foundation approved methods of GCQPIT and Macroduct. In many hospital laboratories, the concern for accurate testing has lead to quality assurance procedures for the sweat test.