Defining and identifying early-onset lung disease in cystic fibrosis with cumulative clinical characteristics

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 Oct;57(10):2363-2373. doi: 10.1002/ppul.26040. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Abstract

Background: Because of the heterogeneity in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease among young children, a clinical method to identify early-onset lung disease is needed.

Objective: To develop a CF early-onset lung disease (CFELD) scoring system by utilizing prospectively collected longitudinal data on manifestations in the first 3 years of life.

Design: We studied 145 infants born during 2012-2017, diagnosed through newborn screening by age 3 months, and followed to 36 months of age. Cough severity, pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), respiratory cultures, and hospitalizations were collected at each CF center visit (every 1-2 months in infancy and quarterly thereafter). These data were used to construct the CFELD system and to classify lung disease into five categories: asymptomatic, minimal, mild, moderate, and severe.

Results: The most frequent manifestation of CF early lung disease was MD-reported PEx episodes, PEx hospitalizations, and positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures. Parent-reported cough severity was correlated with the number of respiratory hospitalizations (r = 0.48, p < 0.0001). The distribution of CFELD categories was 10% asymptomatic, 17% minimal, 29% mild, 33% moderate, and 12% severe. The moderate and severe categories occurred threefold higher in pancreatic insufficient (PI, 49%) versus sufficient subjects (16%), p < 0.0001. In addition to PI, gastrointestinal and nutrition-related hospitalizations, plasma cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, duration of CFTR modulator therapy, and type of health insurance were significant predictors of CFELD scores.

Conclusion: The CFELD scoring system is novel, allows systematic evaluation of lung disease prognosis early, and may aid in therapeutic decision-making particularly in the initiation of CFTR modulator therapy.

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; cough; cystic fibrosis; hospitalization; lung disease; pulmonary exacerbation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cough
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / therapeutic use
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / diagnosis
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interleukin-10
  • Lung

Substances

  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • Interleukin-10