161 Elaboration and first evaluation of a new questionnaire on abdominal symptoms in cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of obesity among children with CF and its relationship with age, sex, pancreatic insufficiency, pseudomonas colonization, lung function and genotype. Methods: 56 children/adolescents (30 male) were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score and nutritional status was assessed and classified according to the WHO BMI criteria. Lung function was assessed with Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec (FEV1) % predicted and Lung Clearance Index (LCI). Pancreatic insufficiency (PI), pseudomonas colonization and genotype were also recorded. Results: 56 patients with CF (mean age 9.5±4.6 years) were evaluated. 33 (58.9%) patients had normal nutritional status according to BMI z-score, 10 (17.9%) were underweight and 13 (23.2%) were overweight/obese. FEV1 % was higher among overweight/obese patients (112.6%±13.5 vs. 100.73%±22.7 in normal individuals and 96%±16.5 in malnourished children, p = 0.07). LCI was significantly different across the weight categories (p = 0.02). Nutritional status was significantly associated with PI, pseudomonas colonization and genotype (p < 0.05). 7/13(52.8%) of the overweight/obese patients were pancreatic insufficient, 1/13(7.7%) was DF508 homozygote, 7/13(53.8%) were DF508 heterozygote. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our CF center is high, although a significant number of the patients were pancreatic insufficient. Overweight and obesity were associated with better lung function. However, the benefit of increased lung function among this patient group needs to be balanced against the known health risks of obesity.