Recurrent exacerbations affect FEV(1) decline in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.
Obstructive lung disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). To identify risk factors contributing to FEV(1) decline in CF patients, we carried out a retrospective analysis of clinical and pulmonary function data in a population of CF patients followed up for 5 years and studied the correlation between clinical data and FEV(1) decline. Fifty-one adult CF patients were studied. The FEV(1) decline was related to the following clinical characteristics: CFTR genotype, age, gender, weight, height, age at diagnosis, baseline FEV(1), pancreatic function, presence of airway infection, pancreatic insufficiency and diabetes, number of exacerbations/year and intravenous (i.v.) antibiotic courses/year. Both the number of exacerbations/year and the number of i.v. antibiotic courses/year were strongly related to the FEV(1) decline. Patients with airway infection or with diabetes had significantly lower FEV(1) values during the study as compared with non-infected patients or patients without diabetes; however, both the presence of airway infection or diabetes did not affect the FEV(1) decline. These results suggest that the aggressive treatment of disease exacerbations is crucial for delaying lung function decline in CF.
Amadori
Anna
A
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, S. Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
Antonelli
Andrea
A
Balteri
Ilaria
I
Schreiber
Anja
A
Bugiani
Massimiliano
M
De Rose
Virginia
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents