title: Nutritional outcomes in cystic fibrosis - are we doing enough?
abstract: Although outcome data for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have shown consistent improvements throughout the twentieth century, more recent national registry data suggests that outcomes have reached a plateau. Median values for nutritional outcomes in CF currently cluster around the fiftieth centile for the normal population. These data suggest that up to half of CF patients have sub-optimal body mass index (BMI) which might have a significant adverse impact on their respiratory status. BMI might be underestimating the extent to which more important lean body mass might also be reduced. Nutritional decline is a particular problem during adolescence and commonly persists into early adult life. Current treatment strategies to optimize nutrition include the use of high energy diets, proton pump inhibitors and optimal use of enzyme preparations including higher strength preparations to decrease pill burden. Whilst these are all of potential benefit, poor adherence to nutritional care recommendations is probably the greatest impediment to future health improvement. More effective strategies to impact on treatment adherence are needed.
authors.affiliation: Southampton Children's Hospital and UK National Institute for Health Research Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Tremona Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK. Electronic address: gary.connett@uhs.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Connett
authors.affiliation: University College London, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK. Electronic address: katypike@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Katharine C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013851:Thinness / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adherence.; Body Mass Index; Cystic Fibrosis; Lean Body Mass; Nutrition