Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the Era of CFTR Modulators in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder historically associated with malnutrition. The advent of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators and improved pulmonary outcomes have coincided with increased body mass index (BMI). This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children with cystic fibrosis and associated comorbidities. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective chart review assessed patients with CF (2-23 years of age). Data collected included demographics, CF genotype, anthropometric measurements, pancreatic function, medication history, and any comorbid diagnoses. BMI categories were defined as: underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th-85th percentile), overweight (85th-95th percentile), and obese (>95th percentile). <b>Results</b>: Among 243 patients (mean age 10.4 years, 53% male), 4 (1.6%) were malnourished, 192 (79%) had normal weight, and 47 (19.3%) were overweight (OW)/obese (26 (10.7%) OW, and 21 (8.6%) were obese). OW/obese patients (mean age 11.3 years, 61.7% male) included 20 patients (42.5%) with two severe CF-related mutations, 21 (44%) with pancreatic insufficiency, and 40 (85.1%) receiving CFTR modulator treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most common comorbidity in OW/obese patients with CF, followed by impaired glucose intolerance and CF-related diabetes and hyperlipidemia; these associations did not reach statistical significance. <b>Conclusions</b>: Overweight/obesity affects nearly one in five patients with CF, including those with severe genotype and pancreatic insufficiency.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Nutrients
Published
2026-02-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050755
Primary Topic
Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the Era of CFTR Modulators in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Laura Padula, Nikhil Narayan Pai, Elizabeth Reid, Maria Mascarenhas et al.
Nutrients
Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
article

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the Era of CFTR Modulators in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Laura Padula, Nikhil Narayan Pai, Elizabeth Reid, Maria Mascarenhas, Anam Bashir, Xingmei Wang, Rachel Kofsky, Mary Bridget Kastl
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder historically associated with malnutrition. The advent of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators and improved pulmonary outcomes have coincided with increased body mass index (BMI). This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children with cystic fibrosis and associated comorbidities. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective chart review assessed patients with CF (2-23 years of age). Data collected included demographics, CF genotype, anthropometric measurements, pancreatic function, medication history, and any comorbid diagnoses. BMI categories were defined as: underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th-85th percentile), overweight (85th-95th percentile), and obese (>95th percentile). <b>Results</b>: Among 243 patients (mean age 10.4 years, 53% male), 4 (1.6%) were malnourished, 192 (79%) had normal weight, and 47 (19.3%) were overweight (OW)/obese (26 (10.7%) OW, and 21 (8.6%) were obese). OW/obese patients (mean age 11.3 years, 61.7% male) included 20 patients (42.5%) with two severe CF-related mutations, 21 (44%) with pancreatic insufficiency, and 40 (85.1%) receiving CFTR modulator treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most common comorbidity in OW/obese patients with CF, followed by impaired glucose intolerance and CF-related diabetes and hyperlipidemia; these associations did not reach statistical significance. <b>Conclusions</b>: Overweight/obesity affects nearly one in five patients with CF, including those with severe genotype and pancreatic insufficiency.

NutrientsVol. 18(5)
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (US), University of Pennsylvania (US)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 43%
Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.