Nutritional Issues in Cystic Fibrosis

[Correlation of nutritional status with clinical characteristics and lung function in children with cystic fibrosis]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the nutritional status of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and understand the correlation between malnutrition and clinical characteristics as well as lung function.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of CF children admitted from January 2016 to June 2023. Clinical characteristics of CF children with different nutritional statuses were compared, and the correlation between malnutrition and lung function was analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 52 CF children were included, comprising 25 boys (48%) and 27 girls (52%), aged between 7 months and 17 years. Respiratory symptoms were the predominant clinical manifestations (96%, 50/52). The prevalence of malnutrition was 65% (34/52), with moderate/severe malnutrition being the most common (65%, 22/34). The malnutrition group had a longer duration of illness, higher proportion of digestive system symptoms, and lower levels of serum albumin (P<0.05). Pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of the predicted value, ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity, forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity exhaled, forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity exhaled, forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity exhaled, and maximum mid-expiratory flow as a percentage of the predicted value, were lower in the malnutrition group compared to the normal nutrition group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed body mass index Z-score was positively correlated with the above six pulmonary function parameters (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of malnutrition is high in CF children and is associated with decreased lung function. CF children with higher body mass index have better lung function. Therefore, screening and evaluation of nutritional status as well as appropriate nutritional intervention should be emphasized in CF children.

ESPEN-ESPGHAN-ECFS guideline on nutrition care for cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Nutritional status is paramount in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and is directly correlated with morbidity and mortality. The first ESPEN-ESPGHAN-ECFS guidelines on nutrition care for infants, children, and adults with CF were published in 2016. An update to these guidelines is presented.

METHODS

The study was developed by an international multidisciplinary working group in accordance with officially accepted standards. Literature since 2016 was reviewed, PICO questions were discussed and the GRADE system was utilized. Statements were discussed and submitted for on-line voting by the Working Group and by all ESPEN members.

RESULTS

The Working Group updated the nutritional guidelines including assessment and management at all ages. Supplementation of vitamins and pancreatic enzymes remains largely the same. There are expanded chapters on pregnancy, CF-related liver disease, and CF-related diabetes, bone disease, nutritional and mineral supplements, and probiotics. There are new chapters on nutrition with highly effective modulator therapies and nutrition after organ transplantation.

Vitamin D levels and their association with oxidative stress and inflammation markers in patients with cystic fibrosis

Introduction

Introduction: cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic changes that lead to nutrient deficiency, such as vitamin D deficiency. On the other hand, it is suggested that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels with markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis. Method: a cross-sectional study was carried out with 48 patients with cystic fibrosis including children, adolescents and adults in the northeast region of Brazil. Blood collection was performed for analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, parathyroid hormone, inflammatory process (C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein-A1 (A1GPA)) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (CAOT)). The statistical analysis was performed using the "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences", adopting a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was found in 64.6 % of patients. After multiple linear regression analysis, MDA showed an inverse association with blood values of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (p < 0.05) conditioned by the presence of inflammatory process markers. When only oxidative stress was evaluated, this association disappeared. Conclusion: in conclusion, there was a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, with 25(OH)D levels associated with greater oxidative stress when combined with inflammatory markers. Improved vitamin D levels may be an alternative to reduce the damage caused by excess oxidative stress and inflammation in CF patients.

Nutritional Care in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are prone to malnutrition and growth failure, mostly due to malabsorption caused by the derangement in the chloride transport across epithelial surfaces. Thus, optimal nutritional care and support should be an integral part of the management of the disease, with the aim of ameliorating clinical outcomes and life expectancy. In this report, we analyzed the nutrition support across the different ages, in patients with CF, with a focus on the relationships with growth, nutritional status, disease outcomes and the use of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. The nutrition support goal in CF care should begin as early as possible after diagnosis and include the achievement of an optimal nutritional status to support the growth stages and puberty development in children, that will further support the maintenance of an optimal nutritional status in adult life. The cornerstone of nutrition in patients with CF is a high calorie, high-fat diet, in conjunction with a better control of malabsorption due to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, and attention to the adequate supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins. When the oral caloric intake is not enough for reaching the anthropometric nutritional goals, supplemental enteral feeding should be initiated to improve growth and the nutritional status. In the last decade, the therapeutic possibilities towards CF have grown in a consistent way. The positive effects of CFTR modulators on nutritional status mainly consist in the improvement in weight gain and BMI, both in children and adults, and in an amelioration in terms of the pulmonary function and reduction of exacerbations. Several challenges need to be overcome with the development of new drugs, to transform CF from a fatal disease to a treatable chronic disease with specialized multidisciplinary care.

Brazilian Guidelines for Nutrition in Cystic Fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To develop a scientific consensus on nutrition in cystic fibrosis.

METHODS

Sixteen coordinators elaborated relevant questions on nutritional therapy in cystic fibrosis, which were divided into six sections: nutritional assessment, nutritional recommendations, nutritional intervention, dietary counseling, special situations and enzyme replacement, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Two to three specialists in the field were responsible for each section and obtaining answers formulated based on standardized bibliographic searches. The available literature was searched in the PubMed®/MEDLINE database, after training and standardization of search strategies, to write the best level of evidence for the questions elaborated. Issues related to disagreement were discussed until a consensus was reached among specialists, based on the current scientific literature.

RESULTS

Forty-two questions were prepared and objectively answered, resulting in a consensus of nutritional therapy in cystic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

This work enabled establishing a scientific consensus for nutritional treatment of cystic fibrosis patients.

Nutritional assessment and rehabilitation in children with bronchiectasis and childhood interstitial lung diseases: effects on pulmonary functions and clinical severity

Background

Nutrition is recognized as a modifiable contributor to bronchiectasis and interstitial lung diseases (ChILD) development and progression. Nutritional interventions have great potential in reducing respiratory illness related morbidity and mortality. The study was done to assess nutritional state and body composition of children with bronchiectasis and interstitial lung diseases (ChILD) and to study the effect of short course nutritional intervention program on their growth, clinical symptoms, pulmonary functions and frequency of acute exacerbations and hospitalization. Seventeen patients with bronchiectasis and thirteen patients with interstitial lung diseases and 40 healthy children as controls were enrolled. Nutritional status, chest symptoms, anthropometry, body composition, and spirometric pulmonary function were evaluated. A short course nutritional intervention program was done for patients and then they were re-evaluated.

Results

In total, 56.67% of studied patients were moderately malnourished and 23.33% were severely malnourished. A total of 66.7% of studied patients were underweight and 50% of patients had stunted growth. Anthropometric indices were significantly lower than control groups (P < 0.05). Body composition indices were lower in patients than control but not with a statistical significance. Forced vital capacity was positively correlated to body mass index (P = 0.045). Nutritional rehabilitation significantly improved patient anthropometry (weight, body mass index, height, triceps skin-fold thickness, mid arm circumference), body composition (body fat, fat free mass, and muscle mass), respiratory symptoms, and FEV1. Needs to asthma rescue medications, school absence, acute exacerbation attacks, and hospitalization were reduced.

Conclusion

Patients with bronchiectasis and interstitial lung diseases (ChILD) have malnutrition and body composition changes that improved significantly after short nutritional intervention program with significant improvement in FEV1, frequency of acute exacerbations, and hospitalization.

When is asthma not guilty?

Asthma is a common childhood condition. Its prevalence in Saudi Arabia is high, increasing, and could exceed 20% at the current trajectory. Asthma is a syndrome with different clinical presentations and phenotypes. Many conditions are often misdiagnosed as asthma because they share the same symptoms, particularly coughing and shortness of breath; physical findings, such as wheezing; radiological findings, such as hyperinflation on chest X-ray; or even responses to asthma therapies, as in some patients with bronchiolitis. When treating the younger age group (>5 years old), there should be a high degree of suspicion of alternative causes when evaluating patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of asthma or patients who do not respond well to asthma therapies. This study will highlight common conditions that may mimic asthma and, as a result of incorrect treatment, unnecessarily expose patients to steroids and other therapies for extended periods. Furthermore, we seek to alert healthcare providers to common symptoms and signs that suggest a cause other than asthma and suggest when to refer the patient to subspecialists.

Triage for Malnutrition Risk among Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients with Cystic Fibrosis, Using a Disease-Specific Tool

Malnutrition prevails in considerable proportions of children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and is often associated with adverse outcomes. For this, routine screening for malnutrition is pivotal. In the present cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the risk for malnutrition in pediatric outpatients with CF. A total of 76 outpatients (44 girls, 11.9 ± 3.9 years old, 39.5% adolescents) were recruited and anthropometric, clinical, dietary and respiratory measures were collected. All outpatients were screened for malnutrition risk with a validated disease-specific instrument. Most children exhibited a low risk for malnutrition (78.9%), whereas none of the participants were characterized as having a high malnutrition risk. In the total sample, malnutrition risk was positively associated with age (r = 0.369, p = 0.001), and inversely related to the body mass index (r = −0.684, p < 0.001), height z-score (r = −0.264, p = 0.021), and forced expiratory volume (FEV₁%, r = −0.616, p < 0.001). Those classified as having a low malnutrition risk were younger (p = 0.004), heavier (p < 0.001) and taller (p = 0.009) than their counterparts with a moderate risk. On the other hand, patients in the moderate risk group were more likely pubertal (p = 0.034), with a reduced mid-upper arm fat area (p = 0.011), and worse pulmonary function (p < 0.001). Interestingly, none of the children attaining ideal body weight were classified as having a moderate malnutrition. risk, whereas 37.5% of the patients allocated at the moderate risk group exhibited physiological lung function. In this cohort of outpatients with CF that were predominantly well-nourished and attained physiological lung function, malnutrition risk was identified only in small proportions of the sample. Our data support that patients that are older, pubertal, or have diminished fat mass are at greater risk for malnutrition.

Effect of CFTR Modulators on Anthropometric Parameters in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review

There is a strong positive association between nutrition status and lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF). Improvements in clinical care have increased longevity for individuals with CF, and it is unknown how cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulation therapy affects nutrition status over time. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to examine anthropometric (height, weight, and body mass index [BMI; calculated as kg/m²]) and body composition outcomes of CFTR modulation therapy. A literature search of Medline (Ovid), Embase, and CINAHL (EBSCO) databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials examining the effect of CFTR modulation therapy on anthropometric and body composition parameters, published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2002 until May 2018. Articles were screened, data were synthesized qualitatively, and evidence quality was graded by a team of content experts and systematic review methodologists. Significant weight gain with ivacaftor was noted in children and adults with at least 1 copy of G551D mutation. In adults with at least 1 copy of R117H the effect of ivacaftor on BMI was not significant. Effects on BMI were mixed in adults with class II mutations taking ivacaftor with lumacaftor. There was no significant change in BMI in children homozygous for F508del who took ivacaftor with tezacaftor. Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor increased BMI and body weight in individuals 12 years of age and older who were hetero- or homozygous for the F508del mutation. The effect of CFTR modulation therapy on anthropometric parameters depends on the genetic mutation and the type of modulation therapy used. More research is needed to understand the long-term clinical impact of these drugs on nutritional status, including body composition and the role of dietary intake.

Lung disease and vitamin D levels in cystic fibrosis infants and preschoolers

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D acts on the immune system and lung response. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be deficient in this vitamin. The aims of the study were to evaluate vitamin D levels and severity of lung disease in infants and preschoolers diagnosed with CF, and to compare them to a group of children without pancreatic insufficiency (PI).

METHODS

Patients with CF up to 4 years old were included, and compared to an age-matched group of children without diagnosis of CF. CF group had medical records and High Resolution Thorax Computed Tomography (HRCCT) evaluated in order to verify the severity of lung disease. Information on demographic data, sun exposure habits, supplemental vitamin D therapy, and on the season at the time of vitamin D sampling were collected for both groups.

RESULTS

This study included 45 patients in the CF group and 102 in the non-CF group, with no differences in age (P = 0.327) between them. There was no association between vitamin D levels and markers of lung disease in the CF group. The non-CF group had lower daily sun exposure (P = 0.034), and lower supplementation than the CF group (P < 0.001). Supplementation and seasonality were the determinant variables for vitamin D levels, which were lower for non-supplemented children and for assessments during fall/winter.

CONCLUSION

There was no association between lung disease severity and vitamin D levels in CF group. Supplementation and seasonality were associated to higher vitamin levels.

Visceral adipose tissue is associated with poor diet quality and higher fasting glucose in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Body fat distribution and diet quality influence clinical outcomes in general populations but are understudied in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this pilot study was to assess body fat distribution and diet quality in relation to fasting glucose and lung function in adults with CF.

METHODS

Subjects were 24 adults (ages 18-50) with CF and 25 age-matched controls. The Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was calculated from 3-day food records and data were adjusted per 1000 kcal. Whole and regional body composition, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

Subjects with CF reported more added sugar intake [26.1 (IQR 18.1) vs. 12.9 (12.5) g/1000 kcal, p < 0.001] and had lower HEI-2015 scores [48.3 (IQR 9.9) vs. 63.9 (27.3), p < 0.001] compared to controls. There were no differences in BMI, total body fat, or lean body mass (LBM) between subjects with CF and controls (p > 0.05 for all), although subjects with CF had higher VAT than control subjects [0.3 (IQR 0.3) vs 0.1 (0.3) kg, p = 0.02]. Among subjects with CF, VAT was positively associated with added sugar intake (p < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (p = 0.04). Lung function was positively associated with BMI (p = 0.005) and LBM (p = 0.03) but not with adiposity indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

These novel data link body fat distribution with diet quality and fasting glucose levels in adults with CF, whereas LBM was associated with lung function. This study highlights the importance of increasing diet quality and assessing body composition and fat distribution in the CF population.

The introduction of a paediatric nutrition support program led by a clinical dietitian at a low-resource hospital setting in Malawi

In low- and middle-income countries, nutrition support strategies are often suboptimal or non-existent in hospital settings. This is further compounded by high rates of malnutrition in these countries. The first four dietitians graduated in Malawi in 2017 providing a new opportunity to build capacity to introduce nutrition support in an acute care setting. A paediatric nutrition support program was implemented at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi including the hiring of a local dietitian. This capacity building paper explains the development and introduction of the nutrition support program including a description of perceptions of health professionals at QECH working alongside the dietitian. In the first four months of the program at QECH, the dietitian provided nutrition support to 183 different patients across paediatric wards. Nutritional interventions predominantly included infant formula and breastmilk fortification, provision of therapeutic feeds orally or via nasogastric tubes, increased dietary protein intake for children identified to be at high risk, and nutritional counselling to caregivers. More complex nutritional interventions were also given such as the insertion of gastrostomy tubes to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach. Following the introduction of the program, qualitative interviews were done with health professionals at QECH including nurses (n = 5) and physicians (n = 11). All participants emphasized the importance and impact of the nutrition support program in enhancing the care of hospitalized children, therefore improving outcomes such as tolerability of clinical interventions, decreased duration of stay, and reduced risk of hospital readmission. In conclusion, there is a need for nutrition support provided by a dietitian for different paediatric patients which was corroborated by positive feedback from health professionals at QECH. Integration of dietitians into the healthcare system by respective Ministries of Health will require advocacy around the potential for nutrition support to strengthen the quality of care of vulnerable children. A Chichewa abstract for this paper is available in a supplementary file.

Gastrointestinal pathophysiology and nutrition in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a severe, progressive, multisystemic disease that is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. Optimizing nutrition is critical, as higher growth parameters are associated with better pulmonary function and outcomes, but unfortunately patients with this disease are prone to malnutrition, growth failure, and vitamin deficiencies. The purpose of this review is to provide a timely highlight of the physiologic processes and outcome data to support today's management strategies, as well as review these principles themselves. Areas covered: This review covers the background of the importance of vigilant attention to nutrition and growth in these patients, the underlying physiology leading to an abnormal gastrointestinal tract and its role in CF malnutrition, and current evaluation and management strategies to address nutrition in CF. Analysis of up-to-date relevant literature was performed using PubMed. Expert commentary: Advances in research and clinical developments over the years have improved knowledge of this disease as well as patient outcomes. Of particular importance is optimizing nutrition especially in the early stages of life, as well as accounting for the markedly abnormal CF intestinal milieu when addressing the gastrointestinal and nutritional needs of these patients.

The Epidemiology and Management of Lung Diseases in Sickle Cell Disease: Lessons Learned from Acute and Chronic Lung Disease in Cystic Fibrosis

Although sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis are two of the most common monogenic diseases presenting in childhood worldwide, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease enjoy vastly different funding and collaborative research efforts. Pulmonary complications in cystic fibrosis have well established guidelines and multidisciplinary involvement focusing on comorbidities, routine monitoring, infectious complications, nutrition, and treatment recommendations. These guidelines can provide a framework on which to build knowledge of lung disease in sickle cell disease.

ASSOCIAÇÃO DO ESTADO NUTRICIONAL COM FUNÇÃO PULMONAR E MORBIDADE EM CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES COM FIBROSE CÍSTICA: COORTE DE 36 MESES

Objective:

To evaluate the association between nutritional status, lung function and morbidity in a 36-month cohort in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Methods:

Prospective cohort of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis aged 1-15 years. At the baseline, the nutritional status was determined by weight-for-height and body mass index-for-age for children <2 years and ≥2 years, respectively, and classified as: nutritional failure, nutritional risk and acceptable; and by the 50th percentile, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Lung function was assessed by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Morbidity was determined by the presence of infection and hospitalization by pulmonary exacerbation. Risk ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated, being significant when p<0.05.

Results:

We evaluated 38 children and adolescents (median age 3.8 years). Patients that were classified as having nutritional failure at baseline had a RR of 5.00 (95%CI 1.49; 16.76) to present impaired lung function after 36 months. Those classified bellow the 50th percentile had a RR of 4.61 (95%CI 0.89; 23.81) to present the same outcome. Nutritional status was not a risk factor for morbidity in this cohort.

Conclusions:

Nutritional deficit was associated with impaired lung function, but not with morbidity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Plasma metabolomics in adults with cystic fibrosis during a pulmonary exacerbation: A pilot randomized study of high-dose vitamin D3 administration

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic catabolic disease often requiring hospitalization for acute episodes of worsening pulmonary exacerbations. Limited data suggest that vitamin D may have beneficial clinical effects, but the impact of vitamin D on systemic metabolism in this setting is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We used high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to assess the impact of baseline vitamin D status and high-dose vitamin D₃ administration on systemic metabolism in adults with CF with an acute pulmonary exacerbation.

DESIGN

Twenty-five hospitalized adults with CF were enrolled in a randomized trial of high-dose vitamin D₃ (250,000IU vitamin D₃ bolus) versus placebo. Age-matched healthy subjects served as a reference group for baseline comparisons. Plasma was analyzed with liquid chromatography/ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. Using recent HRM bioinformatics and metabolic pathway enrichment methods, we examined associations with baseline vitamin D status (sufficient vs. deficient per serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations) and the 7-day response to vitamin D₃ supplementation.

RESULTS

Several amino acids and lipid metabolites differed between CF and healthy control subjects, indicative of an overall catabolic state. In CF subjects, 343 metabolites differed (P<0.05) by baseline vitamin D status and were enriched within 7 metabolic pathways including fatty acid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. A total of 316 metabolites, which showed enrichment for 15 metabolic pathways-predominantly representing amino acid pathways-differed between the vitamin D₃- and placebo-treated CF subjects over time (P<0.05). In the placebo group, several tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates increased while several amino acid-related metabolites decreased; in contrast, little change in these metabolites occurred with vitamin D₃ treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Numerous metabolic pathways detected by HRM varied in association with vitamin D status and high-dose vitamin D₃ supplementation in adults with CF experiencing a pulmonary exacerbation. Overall, these pilot data suggest an anti-catabolic effect of high-dose vitamin D₃ in this clinical setting.

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Modulators: Implications for the Management of Depression and Anxiety in Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at high risk for depression and anxiety, which are associated with worse medical outcomes. Novel therapies for CF hold great promise for improving physical health, but the effects of these therapies on mental health remain poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to familiarize psychiatrists with the potential effect of novel CF therapies on depression and anxiety.

METHODS

We discuss novel therapies that directly target the mutant CF protein, the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR), which are called CFTR modulators. We summarize depression and anxiety screening and treatment guidelines under implementation in accredited CF centers. Case vignettes highlight the complexities of caring for individuals with CF with comorbid depression and anxiety, including patients experiencing worsening depression and anxiety proximate to initiation of CFTR modulator therapy, and management of drug-drug interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CFTR modulator therapies provide hope for improving clinical outcomes, worsening depression and anxiety occurs in some patients when starting these novel agents. This phenomenon may be multifactorial, with hypothesized contributions from CFTR modulator-psychotropic medication interactions, direct effects of CFTR modulators on central nervous system function, the psychologic effect of starting a potentially life-altering drug, and typical triggers of depression and anxiety such as stress, pain, and inflammation. The medical and psychiatric complexity of many individuals with CF warrants more direct involvement of mental health specialists on the multidisciplinary CF team. Inclusion of mental health variables in patients with CF registries will facilitate further examination at an epidemiologic level.

Determinants of pre-transplantation pectoralis muscle area (PMA) and post-transplantation change in PMA in lung transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine predictors of pectoralis muscle area (PMA) and assess change in PMA following lung transplantation and its relationship to outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 88 lung transplant recipients at a single center was performed. PMA was determined on a single axial slice from chest computerized tomography. Pectoralis muscle index (PMI) was calculated from the PMA divided by the height squared.

RESULTS

PMI decreased post-transplantation (8.1±2.8 cm² /m² pre-transplantation, 7.5±2.9 cm² /m² at 6 months, and 7.6±2.7 cm² /m² at 12 months, P<.05). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) were predictors of pre-transplant PMI (β=-2.3, P=.001 for COPD; β=2.1, P<.001 for ILD) and percent change in PMI at 12 months post-transplantation relative to baseline (β=19.2, P=.04 for COPD; β=-20.1, P=.01 for ILD). Patients in the highest quartile for PMI change at 12 months had fewer ventilator days compared with patients in the other quartiles (P=.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Underlying diagnosis was a significant predictor of both pre-transplantation PMI and change in PMI post-transplantation. Further studies of PMI are needed to determine its clinical utility in predicting outcomes following lung transplantation.