Related Experiment Videos
Normal growth in cystic fibrosis associated with a specialised centre
C E Collins1, L MacDonald-Wicks, S Rowe
1Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308 NSW, Australia. ccollins@mail.newcastle.edu.au
Insights
Lifetime continuous care in cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics improved patient growth but did not significantly enhance lung function. This specialized care impacts key health indicators for CF patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Pediatric Health
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) requires long-term, specialized medical care.
- Nutritional status and lung function are critical health indicators in CF patients.
- The impact of continuous, lifetime specialized care on CF patient outcomes is an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of lifetime continuous care at John Hunter Hospital's CF clinics on patient growth and lung function.
- To compare outcomes between CF patient cohorts with varying durations of specialized care.
- To identify potential benefits of early and continuous engagement with specialized CF services.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey design was employed, analyzing data from 1993 and 1997.
- Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and data were categorized into 5-year age bands.
- Key variables assessed included height z-score, weight centile, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).
Main Results:
- Patients aged 10-15 in 1997, receiving continuous lifetime care, showed improved mean height z-score (-0.880 vs. -0.047) and weight centile (28.3% vs. 48.1%) compared to 1993 cohort.
- The 1997 cohort, who initiated continuous care earlier, demonstrated these growth improvements.
- No significant improvement in FEV1 (lung function indicator) was observed in the continuous care group (81.6% vs. 89.5% predicted).
Conclusions:
- Lifetime continuous care within a specialized Cystic Fibrosis center is associated with enhanced physical growth.
- This specialized care model did not demonstrate a significant improvement in lung function (FEV1) in the studied cohorts.
- Findings suggest that while continuous specialized care benefits growth, further research is needed to optimize lung health outcomes in CF.
Objective:
To assess the impact of lifetime continuous care within the John Hunter Hospital cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics on growth and lung function.
Design:
A cross sectional survey of variables affecting nutritional status in CF was undertaken for 1993 and 1997. Data were retrieved from medical records and grouped into 5 year age bands.
Main Outcome Measures:
Change in height z-score, weight centile, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) between patient cohorts receiving specialised care for different lengths of time.
Results:
Improved mean height z-score (-0.880 v -0.047) and weight centile (28.3% v 48.1%) for the 10-15 year age group in 1997, who had received continuous lifetime care within the clinic, compared with the same age group in 1993, for whom continuous medical care started at an older age. There was no corresponding improvement in FEV(1), as an indicator of lung function, in this group (81.6% predicted v 89.5% predicted).
Conclusions:
This study suggests that lifetime continuous care within a specialised CF centre is associated with improved growth but not improved lung function.