The implications of dysglycaemia on aerobic exercise and ventilatory function in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: The development of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related diabetes (CFRD) in paediatric groups is associated with a reduced aerobic fitness. However, this has yet to be investigated in adults with more severe lung disease.METHODS: Cardiopulmonary exercise and glycaemic control tests were retrospectively analysed in 46 adults with CF (age: 26.9 y [range: 16.3-66.5 y]; forced expiratory volume in 1s: 65.3% [range: 26.8-105.7%]; 26 males), diagnosed with CFRD (n = 19), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 8) or normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 19).RESULTS: Maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) was reduced in adults with IGT and CFRD compared to their age- and gender-matched counterparts with NGT (p &lt; 0.05); however, there was no difference when lung function was included as a covariate (all p &gt; 0.05). V˙O2max was greater in adults who experienced post-reactive hypoglycaemia vs. NGT without hypoglycaemia (p &lt; 0.05). The frequency of ventilatory limitation (84%, 63% and 37%, respectively; p &lt; 0.05) but not ventilation-perfusion mismatch (42%, 38% and 16%, respectively; p &gt; 0.05), was greater with CFRD and IGT vs. NGT. There was also no difference in arterial oxygen saturation changes between groups (p &gt; 0.05). Gender and body mass index were significant predictors of V˙O2max (adjusted R2 = 0.37, p &lt; 0.01), but glycaemic control did not explain additional variance (p &gt; 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Adults with CF-related dysglycaemia had a reduced V˙O2max compared to age- and gender-matched counterparts, due to a greater degree of CF lung disease in these populations.</p