Risk factors for lung function decline in a large cohort of young cystic fibrosis patients.

Objective: To identify novel risk factors and corroborate previously identified risk factors for mean annual decline in FEV1% predicted in a large, contemporary, United States cohort of young cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of participants in the EPIC Observational Study, who were Pseudomonas-negative and ≤12 years of age at enrollment in 2004-2006. The associations between potential demographic, clinical, and environmental risk factors evaluated during the baseline year and subsequent mean annual decline in FEV1 percent predicted were evaluated using generalized estimating equations.

Endogenous erythropoietin varies significantly with inflammation-related proteins in extremely premature newborns.

Introduction: Erythropoietin, a pluripotent glycoprotein essential for erythropoiesis, fetal growth, and development, has recently been implicated in innate immune regulation. Data from the ELGAN Study allowed us to evaluate relationships between endogenous erythropoietin and 25 inflammation-related proteins in extremely premature newborns.

Methods: We measured the concentrations of 25 inflammation-related proteins and of erythropoietin in blood spots collected on postnatal days 1, 7, and 14 from 936 infants born before 28 weeks gestation.

Risk factors for age at initial Pseudomonas acquisition in the cystic fibrosis epic observational cohort.

Background: Risk factors for initial Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) acquisition, particularly environmental exposures, are poorly understood. We aimed to identify such risk factors in order to inform prevention strategies and identify high-risk populations.

Methods: The study cohort included all participants in the U.