Cystic fibrosis lung transplantation

Health-related quality of life following lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation represents the definite treatment for CF patients with advanced-stage pulmonary disease. Recent major developments in the treatment of CF indicate the need for an evaluation of lung transplantation as the current best practice in end-stage disease. This systematic review was performed to evaluate the impact of lung transplantation on health-related quality of life in patients with CF.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for studies matching the eligibility criteria between January 2000 and January 2022. OVID (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost (EMBASE) as well as bibliographies of included studies were also reviewed. Applying predetermined eligibility criteria, the included studies were selected. Predetermined forms were used to conduct a quality appraisal and implement data tabulation. Results were synthesized by narrative review. This systematic review was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO register (CRD 42022341942).

RESULTS

Ten studies (1494 patients) were included. Lung transplantation results in improvements in HRQoL in CF patients relative to their baseline waitlisted state. Up to five years postoperatively CF patients retain their HRQoL at levels similar to the general population. There are several modulating factors that impact HRQoL outcomes in CF patients post-LTx. Compared to lung recipients with other diagnoses CF patients achieve either greater or equal levels of HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Lung transplantation conveys improved HRQoL to CF patients with the advanced-stage pulmonary disease for up to five years, and to levels comparable to the general population and non-waitlisted CF patients. This systematic review quantifies, using current evidence, the improvements in HRQoL gained by CF patients following lung transplantation.

Pretransplant Quality of Life and Post-Transplant Survival in Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common indication for pediatric lung transplantation and the third most common for adults. The selection of candidates and timing of transplant is challenging and whether there is a survival benefit of this procedure for pediatric patients is controversial. Use of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), a well-validated, disease-specific quality of life measure may improve pretransplant referral decision-making.

METHODS

This multicenter study evaluated whether specific domains on the CFQ-R (i.e., Physical Functioning, Respiratory Symptoms), assessed pretransplant, predicted survival 4-year post-transplant (n = 25). A two-step Cox regression, with physical predictors entered in step one (i.e., age, CF-related Diabetes, FEV1% predicted) and the Physical Functioning and Respiratory Symptoms CFQ-R scales entered in step two, was used to assess whether the CFQ-R explained additional and unique variance. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of optimal cut-points of significant CFQ-R domains.

RESULTS

The Respiratory Symptoms scale predicted survival 4-year post-transplant (Exp(B) = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.14-1.01; area under the curve = 0.87) and once it was added to the model, no other individual predictors were significant. The incremental improvement beyond the physical parameters approached but did not reach statistical significance (χ2 Δ = 5.79, p = .06).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that including patient-reported outcomes could aid pretransplant referral decision-making. The Respiratory Symptoms scale in particular may serve as a useful tool to help determine when to refer and evaluate an individual for transplant.

Review of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by pancreatic insufficiency and chronic endobronchial airway infection. This latter feature results in progressive bronchiectasis and ultimately respiratory failure, which is the leading cause of death in patients with CF. Other complications include sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, bowel obstruction, hepatobiliary disease, hyponatremic dehydration, and infertility. Diagnosis of CF is confirmed by demonstration of elevated sweat chloride. Most cases of CF are identified through newborn screening (NBS). There are also infants with positive NBS but inconclusive diagnostic testing; a small proportion of these infants may go on to develop CF. CF is a lifelong, life-limiting disease, but an organized care center network with multidisciplinary approach, quality improvement initiatives, and research has led to markedly increased survival and development of adult CF care programs. In the past few years, medications that directly target the underlying CF defect have been developed, which should result in even greater survival benefits. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(4):e154-e161.].

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are important emerging cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens, with estimates of prevalence ranging from 6% to 13%. Diagnosis of NTM disease in patients with CF is challenging, as the infection may remain indolent in some, without evidence of clinical consequence, whereas other patients suffer significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment requires prolonged periods of multiple drugs and varies depending on NTM species, resistance pattern, and extent of disease. The development of a disease-specific approach to the diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection in CF patients is a research priority, as a lifelong strategy is needed for this high-risk population.

End-stage cystic fibrosis lung disease is characterised by a diverse inflammatory pattern: an immunohistochemical analysis

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterised by vigorous airway inflammation eventually resulting in severe lung damage. This study aimed to describe the diversity of the inflammatory pattern in end-stage CF lungs by evaluating and quantifying which components of the innate and adaptive immunity are involved, and by assessing whether this is gender-specific.

METHODS

CF explant lung tissue (n = 20) collected at time of transplantation and control tissue (n = 22) was sectioned (9 μm) and stained for neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4 T cells, cytotoxic T cells and B cells. Quantification with special attention for immune cell location was performed.

RESULTS

Neutrophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4 T and cytotoxic T cells were significantly increased in CF compared to controls and there was a disproportionate increase of neutrophils around the airways in CF. Large amounts of lymphoid follicles were found in the CF lung and they had a skewed B cell/T cell composition. Upon subdividing the CF patients into a male and female population, eosinophils, mast cells and CD4 T cells were increased specifically in CF females. In this subpopulation, lymphoid follicles had less B cells and more CD8 T cells.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate a diverse inflammatory response in the CF lung, reflected by an increase of both myeloid and lymphoid immune cells. Inflammation in the CF lung appeared to be gender-specific in our population, as the significant increase of eosinophils, mast cells and CD4 T cells was especially notable in the female subpopulation.

Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis: 2013 Update

The 2013 Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) was commissioned by the CF Foundation as an update of the 2003 Infection Control Guideline for CF. During the past decade, new knowledge and new challenges provided the following rationale to develop updated IP&C strategies for this unique population:

1.The need to integrate relevant recommendations from evidence-based guidelines published since 2003 into IP&C practices for CF. These included guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and key professional societies, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). During the past decade, new evidence has led to a renewed emphasis on source containment of potential pathogens and the role played by the contaminated healthcare environment in the transmission of infectious agents. Furthermore, an increased understanding of the importance of the application of implementation science, monitoring adherence, and feedback principles has been shown to increase the effectiveness of IP&C guideline recommendations.

2.Experience with emerging pathogens in the non-CF population has expanded our understanding of droplet transmission of respiratory pathogens and can inform IP&C strategies for CF. These pathogens include severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the 2009 influenza A H1N1. Lessons learned about preventing transmission of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens in non-CF patient populations also can inform IP&C strategies for CF.

Increased prevalence of tracheal diverticula in cystic fibrosis patients

OBJECTIVE

This investigation sought to evaluate the prevalence and imaging characteristics of tracheal diverticula (TD) among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

METHODS

A total of 113 patients with CF at our institution, with a median age of 29 years, had chest CT examinations between 2002 and 2014. These imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed to assess for the presence and characteristics of TD, including quantity, size and location. The severity of the CF disease was assessed using the Bhalla CT scoring system and pulmonary function tests.

RESULTS

Of the 113 cases reviewed, 20 (17.7%) patients were found to have 1 or more TD. The presence of TD was associated with more severe disease by imaging criteria, with a Bhalla CT score of 13.9 ± 4.3 in patients with TD and 11.5 ± 4.3 in patients without TD. For the pulmonary function tests, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1 percent predicted demonstrated a trend towards worsening function in patients with TD, although the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of TD in our patient population with CF based on chest CT exams was 17.7%. In addition, the presence of TD was associated with more severe CF disease by imaging criteria.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

TD appear to have a higher prevalence in patients with CF than in the general population, are associated with more severe CF pulmonary disease by CT criteria and are frequently underreported by radiologists.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are important emerging cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens, with estimates of prevalence ranging from 6% to 13%. Diagnosis of NTM disease in patients with CF is challenging, as the infection may remain indolent in some, without evidence of clinical consequence, whereas other patients suffer significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment requires prolonged periods of multiple drugs and varies depending on NTM species, resistance pattern, and extent of disease. The development of a disease-specific approach to the diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection in CF patients is a research priority, as a lifelong strategy is needed for this high-risk population.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis

CF is a genetic, life-shortening, multisystem disease that is most commonly diagnosed through newborn screen performed in all 50 states in the United States. In the past, therapies for CF lung disease have primarily targeted the downstream effects of a dysfunctional CFTR protein. Newer CFTR modulator therapies, targeting the basic defect in CF, are available for a limited group of people with CF, and offer the hope of improved treatment options for many more people with CF in the near future. Best practice is directed by consensus clinical care guidelines from the CFF and is provided with a multidisciplinary approach by the team at the CF care center and the primary care office.

Pulmonary hypertension survival effects and treatment options in cystic fibrosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses the current impact of pulmonary hypertension on the outcome and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).

RECENT FINDINGS

Pulmonary hypertension is commonly encountered in advanced lung diseases such as CF. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in CF patients varies based on disease severity and methodology used for diagnosis. Chronic alveolar hypoxia is the most likely cause. The majority of recent studies have shown worse survival in CF patients who develop pulmonary hypertension. The impact of pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies on symptomatology and outcomes in CF patients has not been well studied.

SUMMARY

Pulmonary hypertension is common in patients with CF and it occurs largely because of hypoxemia. The presence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with CF is likely associated with worse outcome; however, it remains unknown whether treatment with pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies would be beneficial.

Practical guidelines: lung transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis

There are no European recommendations on issues specifically related to lung transplantation (LTX) in cystic fibrosis (CF). The main goal of this paper is to provide CF care team members with clinically relevant CF-specific information on all aspects of LTX, highlighting areas of consensus and controversy throughout Europe. Bilateral lung transplantation has been shown to be an important therapeutic option for end-stage CF pulmonary disease. Transplant function and patient survival after transplantation are better than in most other indications for this procedure. Attention though has to be paid to pretransplant morbidity, time for referral, evaluation, indication, and contraindication in children and in adults. This review makes extensive use of specific evidence in the field of lung transplantation in CF patients and addresses all issues of practical importance. The requirements of pre-, peri-, and postoperative management are discussed in detail including bridging to transplant and postoperative complications, immune suppression, chronic allograft dysfunction, infection, and malignancies being the most important. Among the contributors to this guiding information are 19 members of the ECORN-CF project and other experts. The document is endorsed by the European Cystic Fibrosis Society and sponsored by the Christiane Herzog Foundation.

Transplanting the adolescent cystic fibrosis patient: can we do it?

Bilateral lung transplantation remains a treatment for end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease when there is no further medical or surgical treatment available. The aim of lung transplantation is to improve patient life expectancy. The consensus view that lung transplantation extends life in children has been challenged. However, challengers have faced alternative explanations of their finding and it is largely accepted that lung transplantation in the adolescent patient population is an important treatment modality. The goal of this article is to address these concerns and assist with developing creative approaches to this known challenging subset of patients. The main focus of this article will be to discuss the looming question: what existing evidence or best practice insights could improve bilateral lung transplantation outcomes for adolescent patients with end-stage CF?

State of progress in treating cystic fibrosis respiratory disease

Since the discovery of the gene associated with cystic fibrosis (CF), there has been tremendous progress in the care of patients with this disease. New therapies have entered the market and are part of the standard treatment of patients with CF, and have been associated with marked improvement in survival. Now there are even more promising therapies directed at different components of the pathophysiology of this disease. In this review, our current knowledge of the pathophysiology of lung disease in patients with CF is described, along with the current treatment of CF lung disease, and the therapies in development that offer great promise to our patients.

True microbiota involved in chronic lung infection of cystic fibrosis patients found by culturing and 16S rRNA gene analysis

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) develop chronic lung infection. In this study, we investigated the microorganisms present in transplanted CF lungs (n = 5) by standard culturing and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A correspondence between culturing and the molecular methods was observed. In conclusion, standard culturing seems reliable for the identification of the dominating pathogens.