Exercise performance and quality of life in children with cystic fibrosis and mildly impaired lung function: relation with antibiotic treatments and hospitalization.

UNLABELLED

This study evaluates the impact of antibiotic treatments and hospitalization on exercise performance and health-related quality of life (QOL) in children with mild cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Forty-seven children between 7 and 17 years with mild CF underwent a maximal exercise test including spiro-ergometry and filled out a QOL-questionnaire (PedsQL™). Amount of antibiotic treatments (AB) and hospitalization days in the last 3 years were reviewed. FEV1% was mildly decreased (91.7 ± 17.9 L/min, p = 0.02). Maximal oxygen consumption (VOmax), test duration and anaerobic threshold were lower compared to a control population (VOmax% 94 ± 15 vs 103 ± 13, p = 0.009). FEV1% correlated with AB and hospitalization episodes in the last year and 3 years before testing, VOmax% only correlated with AB in the last 3 years. Domains of school functioning and emotional functioning were low. Children with higher VOmax% and less AB in the last 3 years had better physical health. Physical health and school functioning were negatively correlated with hospitalization days in the last year.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mild CF lung disease have good exercise performance although still lower than the normal population. VO2max% is affected by number of antibiotic treatments over a longer period. There is an impact of hospitalization days on quality of life. What is Known: • Children with CF have lower exercise performance; there is an association between hospitalization frequency and exercise performance • Quality of life is diminished in children with CF and influenced by respiratory infections What is New: • Even patients with mild CF lung disease have lower maximal exercise performance (VO max) and a lower anaerobic threshold; VO max is lower in children who had more antibiotic treatments in the last 3 years • School and emotional functioning are diminished in children with mild CF lung disease; hospitalization is negatively correlated with school functioning and physical functioning.