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Association between Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and lung function in cystic fibrosis

C H Goss1, N Mayer-Hamblett, M L Aitken

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. goss@u.washington.edu

Thorax
|November 2, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is linked to worse initial lung function. However, SM does not appear to accelerate lung function decline in CF patients after accounting for other factors.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) is a Gram-negative bacterium found in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • The impact of SM on lung function in CF has not been previously documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between SM infection and lung function in individuals with CF.
  • To determine if SM influences the rate of lung function decline in CF patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study analyzed data from the CF Foundation National Patient Registry (1994-1999).
  • Included CF patients aged 6 years and older.
  • Repeated measures regression assessed the relationship between SM and lung function (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second - FEV1).

Main Results:

  • The study cohort comprised 20,755 CF patients; 13% tested positive for SM at least once.
  • SM-positive patients exhibited lower FEV1 at the time of positivity (mean difference: 0.09 L).
  • After adjusting for confounders, the association between SM and an increased rate of FEV1 decline was not statistically significant (mean decline: 0.008 L/year).

Conclusions:

  • CF patients infected with SM demonstrate poorer lung function at the point of detection.
  • No significant association was found between SM infection and an accelerated rate of lung function decline in CF patients when controlling for key confounding variables.

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