Association of body composition and lung function in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Survival in cystic fibrosis has improved significantly in the last 30 years, with major therapeutic goals of delaying the progressive loss of pulmonary function and maintaining normal growth. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) to assess both bone mineral density and body composition. We hypothesised that there would be an association between body composition and pulmonary function in children with CF. Fifty subjects with CF (28 males), mean age 12.7 years, participated in the study. Body composition was determined by DEXA. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the ratio of weight/height2 (kg/ m2). Lung function was assessed by spir..