Active clinical trials for "Cystic Fibrosis"

The aim of the study is to identify the parameters that are associated with nocturnal hypoventilation in children and adults with cystic fibrosis. Included patients will undergo a nocturnal evaluation of their gas exchange and sleep quality by actigraphy during their annual check up. The aim is thus to identify which parameters (such as lung function parameters) are associated with nocturnal hypercapnia or hypoxemia and/or poor sleep quality

This study will examine the experience of disclosing a cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosis to a dating partner. CF has implications for potential life partners (issues of fertility, decreased life span and an increasing need for medical management with age) that may make disclosure particularly sensitive. An understanding of the disclosure process may provide insight into ways health care practitioners can support their patients during this process. People between 21 and 35 years of age with CF who have been in at least one dating relationship may be eligible for this study. Participants are interviewed by telephone about their experiences living with cystic fibrosis and telling dating partners about their diagnosis. The interview includes questions about: Past experiences disclosing their CF diagnosis to a dating partner What information was disclosed versus what was not disclosed Why certain information was disclosed or not disclosed Positive and negative implications of the disclosure or non-disclosure The interview lasts about 60 minutes and is tape-recorded for later review and analysis.

Study Hypothesis: We hypothesize that cellular markers from nasal epithelial cells and blood lymphocytes can serve as potential biomarkers reflect the underlying inflammatory state of the lung and will be helpful in determining the presence of a CF pulmonary exacerbation and its overall severity.

This is a point prevalence study conducted entirely in the United States (US) to establish the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus (HEV) and other selected porcine viruses in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for pancreatic insufficiency compared with matched (age and region of residence) control patients with chronic medical conditions unexposed to PERT.

Physical activity seems to be a prognostic factor for quality of life and survival in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Whereas their exercise capacity has been assessed through medical examination, their daily physical activity has been little studied. Activity monitors have measured physical activity only in a few studies which considered mainly respiratory status and more recently bone mineral density and body composition. Determinants of physical activity in patients with CF remain largely unknown. The objective of this study is to measure daily physical activity with activity monitors in adult patients with CF and to investigate the determinants of physical activity, with a focus on extra-respiratory factors (nutritional status, diabetes, bone mineralization, anxiety and/or depression, cardiac impairment). Seventy adult patients with CF, regularly cared at the Cochin adult CF centre, will be recruited in a stable period during their annual review. During this assessment, laboratory tests will be carried out (especially parameters for nutritional status), as well as measurement of body composition and bone mineral density, respiratory function tests and a 6 minute walk test, and echocardiography. Patients will wear for 7 consecutive days a multi-sensor armband SenseWear on the arm, to assess the intensity of physical activity in metabolic equivalents (METS) and steps per day. Finally, patients will complete three self-administered questionnaires: Quality of Life (CFQ14 +), hospital anxiety depression scale and physical activity. After a descriptive analysis of the study cohort, we will study qualitative and quantitative criteria related to physical activity (assessed quantitatively by the number of steps/day or metabolic equivalents). Linear regression models will then be developed to assess the independent factors associated with physical activity, adjusting for different variables of interest related to patients demographic, behavioral, clinical (respiratory and non-respiratory ) and biological parameters. Conversely, the "predictive" independent aspect of physical activity will be studied according to respiratory function, nutritional status and quality of life.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease with variable severity, and a predisposition for lung infection. Usually severity is determined by the class of CF mutations, but even among patients with the same severity of mutations there is a variation of the severity of CF. Haptoglobin has several types (phenotypes), one of them was found to be related to infectious complications. In this study the investigators aim to find a correlation between Haptoglobin phenotypes in patients with CF and frequency of infectious complications. To this end the investigators will collect serum from CF patients, and determine their Haptoglobin protein phenotype. The investigators will correlate Haptoglobin phenotype to retrospectively gathered data on infectious complications.

To use the sputum colour chart as a predictor for cystic fibrosis exaerbations

Accurate identification of lower respiratory tract pathogens is standard of care in the management of CF patients and it is therefore recommended to perform regular bacterial cultures, at least once a year, but some even recommend monthly cultures. This can be done through different methods, of which sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are the gold standard. However, BAL is an invasive method, not designated to repeat monthly. Therefore, the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections can be challenging in the non-expectorating CF patient. Other methods, such as induced sputum (IS), cough swabs and nasal swabs, have been developed to obtain bacterial cultures in these patients. Studies have investigated the reliability of these different sampling methods, however, with controversial conclusions.

Azithromycin is an antibiotic currently prescribed continuously in cystic fibrosis patients. It was shown that this treatment taken every day or every week for 12 months, can improve the respiratory state of patients. From the second year of treatment, it would appear there is more profit to continue such treatment. The main objective is to study the association between continuous use of azithromycin and lung function measured by Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), after two years of treatment.

There is ample evidence that children treated for a brain tumour (BT) often develop deficits in social and emotional functioning. The investigators wish to examine the cause of these deficits, i.e. the underlying neuropsychological deficit(s). The aim is to study impairment and developmental delay in social cognition (and related cognitive functions) caused by brain damage in patients treated for a BT in childhood as compared to a reference group of chronically ill children. If we can identify the specific deficits these patients experience, neuropsychological treatment and guidance can be developed to give patients the most optimal chances to live as normal as possible, to improve their quality of life (QoL) and to prevent them from developing depression and anxiety. Eventually, an intervention programme could be developed based on our results, to improve social, vocational and emotional QoL.