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Diabetes mellitus in patients with cystic fibrosis: effect on survival

J Reisman1, M Corey, G Canny

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Pediatrics
|September 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Cystic fibrosis patients with diabetes show similar pulmonary function, nutritional status, and survival rates compared to those without diabetes. This suggests diabetes does not significantly alter the prognosis for cystic fibrosis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Medical research
  • Clinical study
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a known complication in cystic fibrosis patients.
  • Understanding the impact of diabetes on CF prognosis is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare pulmonary function, nutritional status, and survival between diabetic and nondiabetic cystic fibrosis patients.
  • To determine if the presence of insulin-dependent diabetes affects the clinical course of cystic fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patient data from a cystic fibrosis clinic (1977-1988).
  • Inclusion of 713 cystic fibrosis patients, with 37 diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes.
  • Comparison of pulmonary function, nutritional status, and survival data between diabetic and nondiabetic groups.

Main Results:

  • Insulin-dependent diabetes was diagnosed in 5.2% of the studied cystic fibrosis patients.
  • Both diabetic and nondiabetic patients who died had poorer pulmonary and nutritional status than survivors.
  • No significant differences in pulmonary function, nutritional status, or survival were observed between diabetic and nondiabetic cystic fibrosis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cystic fibrosis patients with diabetes have a similar prognosis to those without diabetes.
  • Diabetes does not appear to negatively impact pulmonary function, nutritional status, or survival in cystic fibrosis patients, relative to their age.
  • Further research may explore specific management strategies for CF patients with diabetes.

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