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Hyperglycemia and death in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

Amanda I Adler1, Brian Shine, Charles Haworth

  • 1Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK. amanda.adler@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

Diabetes Care
|May 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

High blood sugar in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) triples mortality risk. This study shows improved glycemic control is crucial for survival in CFRD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients frequently develop diabetes, a known risk factor for increased mortality.
  • The specific impact of hyperglycemia on mortality in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) remains unclear.
  • Establishing a link between glycemic control and survival is essential for guiding therapeutic strategies in CFRD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between glycemic control, measured by HbA1c levels, and mortality risk in individuals with CFRD.
  • To provide evidence supporting glucose-lowering interventions in CFRD management.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of longitudinal data from 520 individuals with diabetes from the U.K. Cystic Fibrosis Registry (2006-2009).
  • Statistical testing of the association between HbA1c levels and mortality outcomes.
  • Consideration of potential confounding factors in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • During a median 2-year follow-up, 36 deaths occurred among the study cohort.
  • Patients who died had a higher median HbA1c (7.3%) compared to survivors (6.7%).
  • An HbA1c level of ≥6.5% was independently associated with a threefold increased risk of death (HR 3.2; P=0.005).

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia significantly increases mortality risk by threefold in patients with CFRD.
  • These epidemiological findings underscore the importance of optimizing glycemic control in CFRD.
  • The results support intensified efforts towards glucose-lowering strategies to improve survival in this population.
Abstract

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