EPS02.2 Fungal colonization in a cystic fibrosis adult population

Abstract

Fungal colonization is extremely frequent in patients with cystic fibrosis. However, its consequences and implications are still unclear. Aim To determine the prevalence and risk factors of fungal colonization in adult patients with CF. Methods Observational study of 37 adult patients with cystic fibrosis, followed at Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon. Clinical files were reviewed in order to collect the following data: demographics, sputum colonization, lung function (FEV1), nutritional status (BMI), pancreatic function and presence of diabetes. The patients were divided according to whether they had fungi in the sputum or not. Results More than two-thirds of the patients (67.6%) were colonized by fungi. The group with fungi was 2 years younger than the group without fungi. The group with fungi had a FEV1 15% lower than the group without fungi (p = 0.062). The group with fungi had also a higher rate of P. aeruginosa chronic infection (77%) than the group without fungi (58%) (p = 0.443). The patients with fungi had a higher prevalence of pancreatic insufficiency and a lower body mass index. However, the results had no statistic significance. The prevalence of cystic fibrosis related diabetes was 10.8% and none of this patients had criteria of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusion Fungal colonization is a marker of greater disease severity, as seen by the lower FEV1, higher prevalence of P. aeruginosa chronic infection, lower BMI and higher prevalence of pancreatic insufficiency in these patients. A transversal study with a larger population is essential to determine whether fungal colonization is a cause or a consequence of greater disease severity.