Carbohydrate metabolism impairment in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis

Development of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is associated with worsening of nutritional status and lung function, as well as increased mortality. The relevance of diagnosing the «pre-diabetic» status in these patients has not been addressed and the utility of HbA1c measurement in these patients is under discussion. To study and characterise the different categories of carbohydrate metabolism impairment in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. A transversal study for characterisation of carbohydrate metabolism impairment according to clinical and anthropometric status and genetic background in 50 paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was undertaken. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) for determination of glucose and insulin levels measurement and continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring (CSGM) were performed. 6% of patients presented with CFRD, 26% impaired glucose tolerance, 10% an indeterminate glucose alteration and 2% impaired fasting glucose. The severity of glycaemic impairment correlated positively with age and negatively with standardised height (p