Bone density, body composition, and inflammatory status in cystic fibrosis

• Published in: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2000-09, Vol.162 (3), p.789-794
• Main Authors: IONESCU, Alina A, NIXON, Lisette S, EVANS, William D, STONE, Michael D, LEWIS-JENKINS, Vanessa, CHATHAM, K. E. N, SHALE, Dennis J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition - physiology; Bone Density - physiology; Cystic Fibrosis - diagnosis; Cystic Fibrosis - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Pneumology; Pneumonia, Bacterial - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Bacterial - physiopathology; Prognosis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections - diagnosis; Pseudomonas Infections - physiopathology; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - diagnosis; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1073-449X; 1535-4970
• DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.162.3.9910118

Low body weight and loss of bone mass are major problems in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic pulmonary infection. Although these complications probably have a multifactorial origin, we hypothesized that the continuous acute-phase inflammatory and catabolic state may contribute. We determined body composition, bone turnover, physical activity, and circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and their soluble receptors in 22 adults with CF and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Comparisons were also made within patients before and after treatment of an exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. The patients had a lower mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) fat-free mass (FFM) 39.9 (36.3, 43.6) kg than healthy subjects, 49.4 (45.1, 53.7) kg, p < 0.05. The patients were in negative nitrogen balance and 20 had bone mineral density (BMD) Z scores