Glycemic control and FEV recovery during pulmonary exacerbations in pediatric cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Rationale: Whether short-term glucose control in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is associated with FEV recovery during acute pulmonary exacerbations is unclear.

Methods: Data from all patients with CFRD ages 6-21 years hospitalized in 2010-2016 for pulmonary exacerbations at our CF Center were analyzed, including CFRD status at each encounter, all FEV recorded during each exacerbation, and relevant clinical covariates. Glucose control was analyzed using meter blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) indices. The primary outcome was FEV recovery.

Results: Patients with CFRD who finished IV antibiotics at home were treated for longer than those fully treated in the hospital (22.2 vs. 13.8 days). In those who finished treatment at home, poor inpatient glycemic control was associated with lower lung function improvement: when comparing the 75th to the 25th percentile of each glycemic index (i.e., "poorer" vs. "better" glycemic control), FEV recovery at discharge was 20.1% lower for glucose AUC (95%CI -0.4%, -39.9%); 20.9% lower for 48-h AUC (95%CI -2.7%, -39.1%); and 28.2% lower for AUC/day (95%CI -7.1%, -49.3%). Similar results were found at the end of IV antibiotics and at clinic follow-up. Likewise, patients with poor glycemic control had a lower slope of inpatient FEV recovery. Analysis in patients with normal glucose tolerance was largely non-significant. No associations were found between hemoglobin A1c and FEV recovery.

Conclusions: In patients with CFRD who complete IV antibiotic treatment at home, poor inpatient glycemic control is associated with worse FEV recovery despite longer duration of treatment.