Clinical relevance of low bone density in cystic fibrosis adult patients: A pilot study

Survival improvement in cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with more frequent long-term complications, including CF related bone disease (CFBD). Impact of CFBD on global health outcome remains poorly described. We aimed to assess the relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and spinal pain, disability, and quality of life in CF adult patients. This monocentric cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was conducted from November 2016 to December 2019 in the Department of Respiratory Diseases at the University Hospital of Reims (NCT02924818). BMD was assessed by X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Disability was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Quality of life was assessed by both the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire and the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire for teenagers and adults (CFQ 14+). Forty patients were analyzed, 68% of men, with a median age of 25 years, a median body mass index of 21 kg/m² and a median FEV(1)% of 54%. Nine patients (23%) had spinal pain. Ten patients (25%) had a low BMD. Compared with patients with normal BMD, patients with low BMD had a significantly lower BMI (22 vs 19 kg/m²; P = .006) and less vitamin D supplementation (33% vs 0%; P = .035). Low BMD was not associated with spinal pain, disability and quality of life. Low BMD is frequent in CF, affecting 1-quarter of adult patients. No significant association was found between low BMD and spinal pain, disability or quality of life.