Characteristics of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes disease among children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study
Rasha Alradadi, Afaf Alsagheir, Asmaa Alshinqiti, Sara Jaan, Razan Alhejaili, Rawaf Albouq, Hanan Alrefaei, Ghadi Alrefaei, Bassam bin AbbasBackground
Cystic fibrosis (CF)-related diabetes (CFRD) is a prevalent endocrine complication in patients with CF. Although it has some similarities with other types of diabetes, such as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, it is a unique diabetes form with specific pathophysiology and clinical characteristics that distinguish it from other types.
Objectives
This study aimed to describe the characteristics of pediatric patients with CFRD and observe its effects on growth, nutritional state, and liver and pancreatic functions.
Methods
This retrospective study included 43 pediatric patients diagnosed with CF between 2012 and 2022. Among these patients, seven were diagnosed with CFRD. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the medical records.
Results
This study analyzed 43 patients with CF: 7 with CFRD and 36 without diabetes. Patients with CFRD were predominantly female (85.7%) and of Saudi nationality (85.7%), with a mean age of 16.5 (5.1) years. The CFRD group had the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, lower height and weight, and significantly lower growth pattern percentiles 5.7 (9.2). They also had high levels of amylase, lipase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase. Follow-up showed persistent low growth percentiles in the CFRD group. Hyperglycemia was observed in 43% of the patients with CFRD, with a mean glycosylated hemoglobin level of 10.8 (6.3).
Conclusion
CFRD is a rare disease with only seven identified patients over 10 years. In this study, all patients were underweight and received insulin treatment. More extensive multicenter studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of patients with CFRD.