Comparative Safety Analysis of Nabilone Versus Opioids: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Some have advocated that nabilone be used rather than opioids to manage chronic, noncancer pain, since the former drug may have a better safety profile. OBJECTIVE: We compared the safety of incident nabilone use relative to incident opioid use with respect to multiple clinically important outcomes. DESIGN: A population-based, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Province of Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Persons aged 12 years and older, diagnosed with a musculoskeletal condition within the past 3 years prior to the index date. EXPOSURES: Incident nabilone use, with incident opioid use serving as the reference group. MEASUREMENTS: Within 3 months following the index date, we separately evaluated for pneumonia, motor vehicle accidents, falls or fractures, mental and behavioral disorder due to psychoactive substance use, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 18,863 incident nabilone users were propensity score matched to an equal number of opioid users. In the overall matched analysis, incident nabilone users vs. incident opioid users had significantly lower rates of pneumonia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96), falls or fractures (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.50-0.64), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.95), but significantly higher rate of mental or behavioral disorder (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.45-3.43). There was no significant difference between groups with respect to rate of motor vehicle accidents. LIMITATIONS: Unmeasured confounding may have influenced results. CONCLUSIONS: While usage of nabilone relative to opioids was associated with reduced rates of pneumonia, falls or fractures, and all-cause mortality, it was simultaneously associated with an increased rate of adverse mental health outcomes. This picture of mixed safety results raises concerns with the policy approach of broadly substituting use of opioids with nabilone. FUNDING SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Health.

Impact of COVID-19 infection on lung function and nutritional status amongst individuals with cystic fibrosis: A global cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection have been identified; however, the impact of infection on longer-term outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 infection on the trajectory of lung function and nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). METHODS: This is a retrospective global cohort study of pwCF who had confirmed COVID-19 infection diagnosed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Forced expiratory volume in one second percent predicted (ppFEV1) and body mass index (BMI) twelve months prior to and following a diagnosis of COVID-19 were recorded. Change in mean ppFEV1 and BMI were compared using a t-test. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate change over time and to compare the rate of change before and after infection. RESULTS: A total of 6,500 cases of COVID-19 in pwCF from 33 countries were included for analysis. The mean difference in ppFEV1 pre- and post-infection was 1.4 %, (95 % CI 1.1, 1.7). In those not on modulators, the difference in rate of change pre- and post-infection was 1.34 %, (95 % CI -0.88, 3.56) per year (p = 0.24) and -0.74 % (-1.89, 0.41) per year (p = 0.21) for those on elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. No clinically significant change was noted in BMI or BMI percentile before and after COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: No clinically meaningful impact on lung function and BMI trajectory in the year following infection with COVID-19 was identified. This work highlights the ability of the global CF community to unify and address critical issues facing pwCF.

Socioeconomic burden of cystic fibrosis in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Cost of illness studies are important tools to summarise the burden of disease for individuals, the healthcare system and society. The lack of standardised methods for reporting costs for cystic fibrosis (CF) makes it difficult to quantify the total socioeconomic burden. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively report the socioeconomic burden of CF in Canada. METHODS: The total cost of CF in Canada was calculated by triangulating information from three sources (Canadian CF Registry, customised Burden of Disease survey and publicly available information). A prevalence-based, bottom-up, human capital approach was applied, and costs were categorised into four perspectives (ie, healthcare system, individual/caregiver, variable (ie, medicines) and society) and three domains (ie, direct, indirect and intangible). All costs were converted into 2021 Canadian dollars (CAD) and adjusted for inflation. The cost of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies was excluded. RESULTS: The total socioeconomic burden of CF in Canada in 2021 across the four perspectives was $C414 million. Direct costs accounted for two-thirds of the total costs, with medications comprising half of all direct costs. Out-of-pocket costs to individuals and caregivers represented 18.7% of all direct costs. Indirect costs representing absenteeism accounted for one-third of the total cost. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive cost of illness study for CF represents a community-oriented approach describing the socioeconomic burden of living with CF and serves as a benchmark for future studies.

Clinical outcomes after liver transplant in people with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Data on the impact of liver transplantation (LT) in cystic fibrosis (CF) on lung function and exacerbations are limited. The objective of this study was to summarize the literature on lung function, nutritional status, survival, and complications following LT in people with CF. METHODS: Three databases were searched until September 2023, to identify the impact of LT in CF. Lung transplant prior to LT and simultaneous liver-lung transplant were excluded. Pooled hazard ratios were calculated using random-effects models. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included in this review, with 3 and 9 studies included in meta-analyses for nutritional status and lung function, respectively. Eighty-three percent of the studies used data that was more than a decade old. There was a significant increase in percent-predicted forced expiratory volume with mean change of 7.16 % (2.13, 12.19; p = 0.005) one year post-LT. Pulmonary exacerbations decreased in the short-term, however there was no significant change in body mass index (BMI). One-year survival post-LT ranged between 75 and 100 %, while five-year survival was lower at 64-89 %. CONCLUSION: Existing data suggest that LT improves lung function in the short term and does not increase the likelihood of pulmonary exacerbations, despite ongoing immunosuppression in the setting of chronic lung infection.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Provides Prognostic Information in Advanced Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease.

Rationale: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides prognostic information in cystic fibrosis (CF); however, its prognostic value for patients with advanced CF lung disease is unknown. Objectives: To determine the prognostic value of CPET on the risk of death or lung transplant (LTX) within 2 years. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 20 CF centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America on patients with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ⩽ 40% predicted who performed a cycle ergometer CPET between January 2008 and December 2017. Time to death/LTX was analyzed using mixed Cox proportional hazards regression. Conditional inference trees were modeled to identify subgroups with increased risk of death/LTX. Results: In total, 174 patients (FEV1, 30.9% ± 5.8% predicted) were included. Forty-four patients (25.5%) died or underwent LTX. Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and FEV1 revealed percentage predicted peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]o2peak) and peak work rate (Wpeak) as significant predictors of death/LTX: adjusted hazard ratios per each additional 10% predicted were 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.90; P = 0.008) and 0.60 (0.48-0.82; P < 0.001). Tree-structured regression models, including a set of 11 prognostic factors for survival, identified Wpeak to be most strongly associated with 2-year risk of death/LTX. Probability of death/LTX was 45.2% for those with a Wpeak ⩽ 49.2% predicted versus 10.9% for those with a Wpeak > 49.2% predicted (P < 0.001). Conclusions: CPET provides prognostic information in advanced CF lung disease, and Wpeak appears to be a promising marker for LTX referral and candidate selection.

Lung function decline is mitigated following liver transplantation in people with cystic fibrosis: A retrospective cohort study.

There is paucity of literature on the health outcomes following liver transplantation (LT) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). We aim to evaluate changes in lung function following LT in pwCF. We performed a retrospective cohort study of pwCF who underwent LT between 1987 and 2019 in the United States and Canada. Simultaneous lung-liver transplants and individuals who had lung transplant prior to LT were excluded. We analyzed pre-LT and post-LT percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, body mass index, rates of pulmonary exacerbation, and post-LT overall survival. A total of 402 LT recipients were included. The median age of transplant was 14.9 years and 69.7% of the transplants were performed in children less than 18 years old. The rate of decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was attenuated after LT from -2.2% to -0.7% predicted per year with a difference of 1.5% predicted per year (95% CI, 0.8, 2.2; p < 0.001). Following LT, the rate of decline in body mass index was reduced, and there were fewer pulmonary exacerbations (0.6 pre vs. 0.4 post; rate ratio 0.7, p < 0.01). The median survival time post-transplant was 13.9 years and the overall probability of survival at 5 years was 77.6%. Those with higher lung function pre-LT had a lower risk of death post-LT, and those with genotypes other than F508 deletion had worse survival. LT in pwCF occurs most often in children and adolescents and is associated with a slower rate of decline in lung function and nutritional status, and a reduction in pulmonary exacerbations.

Sleep breathing disorder frequency, risk factors, and treatment among adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of the epidemiology of sleep breathing disorders among adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) is limited. Our purpose was to describe the frequency, risk factors and treatment of sleep breathing disorders among adults with CF. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of linked data from laboratory-based diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) undertaken at St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto, Canada) and the Canadian CF Registry. Adults (≥19 years old) with CF that underwent a diagnostic PSG at St. Michael's Hospital between 2002 and 2021 were included. Sleep breathing disorder frequency, risk factors, and treatment were described, using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 42 patients included (33.3 % women and median age at diagnostic PSG was 34.7 years). Obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] was the most commonly observed sleep breathing disorder (found in 64.3 %), followed by sustained nocturnal hypoxemia (16.7 %), and sleep hypoventilation (9.5 %). Only 41 % of individuals with an elevated total apnea-hypopnea index were receiving positive airway pressure [PAP] therapy. Corticosteroid use (either oral or inhaled) was the only factor with a significant positive association with presence of any sleep breathing disorder (odds ratio 5.00, 95 % confidence interval 1.28-22.78). CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with CF, OSA occurs more commonly than previously appreciated and the majority of sleep breathing disorders were not being treated with PAP or supplemental oxygen. Management of sleep breathing disorders among adults with CF reflects a potentially important care gap, but further research is needed to determine the health impacts of treating sleep breathing disorders in CF.

Measuring the burden of cystic fibrosis: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) contributes a significant economic burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and society. Understanding the economic impact of CF is crucial for planning resource allocation. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of literature published between 1990 and 2022 that reported the cost of illness, and/or economic burden of CF. Costs were adjusted for inflation and reported as United States dollars. RESULTS: A total of 39 studies were included. Direct healthcare costs (e.g., medications, inpatient and outpatient care) were the most frequently reported. Most studies estimated the cost of CF using a prevalence-based (n = 18, 46.2 %), bottom-up approach (n = 23, 59 %). Direct non-healthcare costs and indirect costs were seldom included. The most frequently reported direct cost components were medications (n = 34, 87.2 %), inpatient care (n = 33, 84.6 %), and outpatient care (n = 31, 79.5 %). Twenty-eight percent (n = 11) of studies reported the burden of CF from all three perspectives (healthcare system (payer), individual, and society). Indirect costs of CF were reported in approximately 20 % of studies (n = 8). The reported total cost of CF varied widely, ranging from $451 to $160,000 per person per year (2022 US$). The total cost depended on the number of domains and perspectives included in each study. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies only reported costs to the healthcare system (i.e., hospitalizations and healthcare encounters) which likely underestimates the total costs of CF. The wide range of costs reported highlights the importance of standardizing perspectives, domains and costs when estimating the economic burden of CF.

Global disparities in cystic fibrosis outcomes prior to CFTR modulators: A CF registries cohort study in South Africa and Canada.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of cystic fibrosis (CF) differ between low-middle income and high-income countries, but comparative data are lacking. We compared South African (SA) and Canadian CF outcomes to explore what disparities existed prior to access of CFTR modulators in Canada. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of SA and Canadian CF registries data for period 1 January to 31 December 2018. CF registry data were harmonised between countries to compare lung function and nutrition outcomes. Poor nutrition was defined as BMIz-score < -1 in children and < 18.5 kg/m2 in adults. Standardised mean difference (SMD) >10 was considered significant. RESULTS: After excluding Canadians on CFTR modulators and lung transplant recipients, data on 4049 Canadian and 446 SA people was analysed. Compared to Canada, people in SA were younger (median age 15.8 years vs. 24.1 years: SMD 52) with fewer males (47.8% vs 54.2%; SMD 12.5) and White (70.9% vs. 93.3%; SMD 61.3). Class I-III CFTR mutation frequency was similar in SA (n = 384, 86.1%) and Canada (n = 3426, 84.9%). After adjusting for age, gender, diagnosis age, genotype, P.aeruginosa infection and pulmonary treatments, FEV1pp was 8.9% lower (95% CI 6.3% to 11.4%) and poor nutrition 1.7-fold more common (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.41) in SA compared to Canada. CONCLUSION: Lung function and nutrition was significantly lower in SA compared to Canada. Global disparities in CF outcomes between high and low-middle income countries are likely to widen as CFTR modulators are rapidly scaled up in only high-income countries.

Cystic fibrosis survival outcomes following second lung transplant: The north American experience.

INTRODUCTION: Re-transplant is an option for those who develop end-stage lung disease due to rejection; however, little data exist following re-transplantation in cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: Data from the Canadian CF Registry and US CF Foundation Patient Registry supplemented with data from United Network for Organ Sharing were used. Individuals who underwent a 2nd lung transplant between 2005 and 2019 were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probability of survival post-second transplant at 1, 3, and 5-years. RESULTS: Of those people who were waitlisted for a second transplant (N = 818), a total of 254 (31%) died waiting, 395 (48%) were transplanted and 169 (21%) people were alive on the waitlist. Median survival time after 2nd lung transplant was 3.3 years (95% CI: 2.8-4.1). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 77.4% (95% CI: 73.1-82%), 52% (95% CI: 46.7-58%) and 39.4% (95% CI: 34.1-45.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Survival following second lung transplant in CF patients is lower than estimates following the first transplant. Over half of subjects who are potentially eligible for a second transplant die without receiving a second organ. This warrants further investigation.

Discovery of CVN636: A Highly Potent, Selective, and CNS Penetrant mGluR7 Allosteric Agonist.

The low affinity metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7 has been implicated in numerous CNS disorders; however, a paucity of potent and selective activators has hampered full delineation of the functional role and therapeutic potential of this receptor. In this work, we present the identification, optimization, and characterization of highly potent, novel mGluR7 agonists. Of particular interest is the chromane CVN636, a potent (EC50 7 nM) allosteric agonist which demonstrates exquisite selectivity for mGluR7 compared to not only other mGluRs, but also a broad range of targets. CVN636 demonstrated CNS penetrance and efficacy in an in vivo rodent model of alcohol use disorder. CVN636 thus has potential to progress as a drug candidate in CNS disorders involving mGluR7 and glutamatergic dysfunction.

Canadian Cystic Fibrosis-related Diabetes Clinical Practice Survey: Analysis of Current Practices and Gaps in Clinical Care.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim in this study was to identify challenges and gaps in Canadian practices in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), with the goal of informing a Canadian-specific guideline for CFRD. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of health-care professionals (97 physicians and 44 allied health professionals) who care for people living with CF (pwCF) and/or CFRD (pwCFRD). RESULTS: Most pediatric centres followed <10 pwCFRD and adult centres followed >10 pwCFRD. Children with CFRD are usually followed at a separate diabetes clinic, whereas adults with CFRD may be followed by respirologists, nurse practitioners, or endocrinologists in a CF clinic or in a separate diabetes clinic. Less than 25% of pwCF had access to an endocrinologist with a special interest or expertise in CFRD. Many centres perform screening oral glucose tolerance testing with fasting and 2-hour time points. Respondents, especially those working with adults, also indicate use of additional tests for screening not currently recommended in CFRD guidelines. Pediatric practitioners tend to only use insulin to manage CFRD, whereas adult practitioners are more likely to use repaglinide as an alternative to insulin. CONCLUSIONS: Access to specialized CFRD care may be a challenge for pwCFRD in Canada. There appears to be wide heterogeneity of CFRD care organization, screening, and treatment among health-care providers caring for pwCF and/or pwCFRD across Canada. Practitioners working with adult pwCF are less likely to adhere to current clinical practice guidelines than practitioners working with children.

High-quality read-based phasing of cystic fibrosis cohort informs genetic understanding of disease modification.

Phasing of heterozygous alleles is critical for interpretation of cis-effects of disease-relevant variation. We sequenced 477 individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) using linked-read sequencing, which display an average phase block N50 of 4.39 Mb. We use these samples to construct a graph representation of CFTR haplotypes, demonstrating its utility for understanding complex CF alleles. These are visualized in a Web app, CFTbaRcodes, that enables interactive exploration of CFTR haplotypes present in this cohort. We perform fine-mapping and phasing of the chr7q35 trypsinogen locus associated with CF meconium ileus, an intestinal obstruction at birth associated with more severe CF outcomes and pancreatic disease. A 20-kb deletion polymorphism and a PRSS2 missense variant p.Thr8Ile (rs62473563) are shown to independently contribute to meconium ileus risk (p = 0.0028, p = 0.011, respectively) and are PRSS2 pancreas eQTLs (p = 9.5 × 10-7 and p = 1.4 × 10-4, respectively), suggesting the mechanism by which these polymorphisms contribute to CF. The phase information from linked reads provides a putative causal explanation for variation at a CF-relevant locus, which also has implications for the genetic basis of non-CF pancreatitis, to which this locus has been reported to contribute.

Beyond borders: cystic fibrosis survival between Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) varies considerably both within and between countries. The objective of this study was to compare survival among countries with single-payer healthcare systems while accounting for markers of disease severity. METHODS: This cohort study used data from established national CF registries in Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand from 2015 to 2019. Median age of survival for each of the four countries was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare risk of death between Canada, France and Australia after adjusting for prognostic factors. Due to low number of deaths, New Zealand was not included in final adjusted models. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 14 842 people (3537 Australia, 4434 Canada, 6411 France and 460 New Zealand) were included. The median age of survival was highest in France 65.9 years (95% CI: 59.8 to 76.0) versus 53.3 years (95% CI: 48.9 to 59.8) for Australia, 55.4 years (95% CI: 51.3 to 59.2) for Canada and 54.8 years (95% CI: 40.7 to not available) for New Zealand. After adjusting for individual-level factors, the risk of death was significantly higher in Canada (HR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.48 to 2.32; p<0.001) and Australia (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.64 to 2.64; p<0.001) versus France. INTERPRETATION: We observed significantly higher survival in France compared with countries with single-payer healthcare systems. The median age of survival in France exceeded 60 years of age despite having the highest proportion of underweight patients which may be due to differences in availability of transplant.

Contemporary cystic fibrosis incidence rates in Canada and the United States.

BACKGROUND: The availability of new diagnostic algorithms for cystic fibrosis (CF), changing population demographics and programs that impact family planning decisions can influence incidence rates. Thus, previously reported incidence rates in Canada and the United States (US) may be outdated. The objectives of this study were to estimate contemporary CF incidence rates in Canada and the US and to determine if the incidence rate has changed over time. METHOD: This population-based cohort study utilized data between 1995-2019 from the Canadian CF Registry (CCFR), Statistics Canada, US CF Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) data, and US Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Vital Statistics System. Incidence was estimated using the number of live CF births by year, sex, and geographic region using Poisson regression, with the number of live births used as the denominator. To account for delayed diagnoses, we imputed the proportion of diagnoses expected given historical trends, and varying rates of newborn screening (NBS) implementation by region. RESULTS: After accounting for implementation of NBS and delayed diagnoses, the estimated incidence rate for CF in 2019 was 1:3848 (95% CI: 1:3574, 1:4143) live births in Canada compared to 1:5130 (95% CI:1:4996, 1:5267) in the US. There was substantial regional variation in incidence rates within both Canada and the US. Since 1995, incidence rates have decreased at a rate of 1.6% per year in both countries (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Contemporary CF incidence rates suggest CF incidence is lower than previously reported and varies widely within North America. This information is important for resource planning and for tracking how programs (e.g., genetic counselling, modulator availability etc.) may impact the incidence of CF moving forward.

Comparison of quadriceps muscle size and quality in adults with cystic fibrosis with different severities of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction. CFTR protein is expressed in human skeletal muscle; however, its impact on skeletal muscle is unknown. The objectives of this study were to compare quadriceps muscle size and quality between adults with various severities of CFTR protein dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study comparing 34 adults with severe versus 18 with mild CFTR protein dysfunction, recruited from a specialized CF centre. Ultrasound images of rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA) and quadriceps layer thickness for muscle size, and rectus femoris echogenicity (RF-ECHO) (muscle quality) were obtained. Multivariable linear regression models were developed using purposeful selection technique. RESULTS: People with severe CFTR protein dysfunction had larger RF-CSA by 3.22 cm2, 95% CI (1.03, 5.41) cm2, p=.0049], after adjusting for oral corticosteroid use and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. However, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the result was influenced by the specific confounders being adjusted for in the model. We did not find any significant differences in quadriceps layer thickness or RF-ECHO between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We found no differential impact of the extent of diminished CFTR protein activity on quadriceps muscle size or quality in our study cohort. Based on these findings, CFTR mutation status cannot be used differentiate leg muscle size or quality in people with CF.

Genomic epidemiology of Mycobacterium abscessus in a Canadian cystic fibrosis centre.

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex causes significant morbidity and mortality among patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It has been hypothesized that these organisms are transmitted from patient to patient based on genomics. However, few studies incorporate epidemiologic data to confirm this hypothesis. We longitudinally sampled 27 CF and 7 non-CF patients attending a metropolitan hospital in Ontario, Canada from 2013 to 2018. Whole genome sequencing along with epidemiological data was used to evaluate the likelihood of transmission. Overall, the genetic diversity of M. abscessus was large, with a median pairwise distance (IQR) of 1,279 (143-134) SNVs between all Ontario M. abscessus isolates and 2,908 (21-3,204) single nucleotide variants (SNVs) between M. massiliense isolates. This reflects the global diversity of this pathogen, with Ontario isolates widely dispersed throughout global phylogenetic trees of each subspecies. Using a maximum distance of 25 SNVs as a threshold to identify possible transmission, we identified 23 (of 276 total) pairs of closely-related isolates. However, transmission was probable for only one pair based on both genomic and epidemiological data. This suggests that person-to-person transmission of M. abscessus among CF patients is indeed rare and reinforces the critical importance of epidemiological data for inferences of transmission.

Protocol for establishing a core outcome set for evaluation in studies of pulmonary exacerbations in people with cystic fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary exacerbations are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). There is no consensus about which outcomes should be evaluated in studies of pulmonary exacerbations or how these outcomes should be measured. Outcomes of importance to people with lived experience of the disease are frequently omitted or inconsistently reported in studies, which limits the value of such studies for informing practice and policy. To better standardise outcome reporting and measurement, we aim to develop a core outcome set for studies of pulmonary exacerbations in people with CF (COS-PEX) and consensus recommendations for measurement of core outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Preliminary work for development of COS-PEX has been reported, including (1) systematic reviews of outcomes and methods for measurement reported in existing studies of pulmonary exacerbations; (2) workshops with people affected by CF within Australia; and (3) a Bayesian knowledge expert elicitation workshop with health professionals to ascertain outcomes of importance. Here we describe a protocol for the additional stages required for COS-PEX development and consensus methods for measurement of core outcomes. These include (1) an international two-round online Delphi survey and (2) consensus workshops to review and endorse the proposed COS-PEX and to agree with methods for measurement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: National mutual ethics scheme approval has been provided by the Child and Adolescent Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (RGS 4926). Results will be disseminated via consumer and research networks and peer-reviewed publications. This study is registered with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials database.

Integrating specialist palliative care to improve care and reduce suffering: cystic fibrosis (InSPIRe:CF) - study protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic disorder estimated to affect more than 160 000 individuals and their families worldwide. People living with CF commonly experience significant physical and emotional symptom burdens, disruptions to social roles and complex treatment decision making. While palliative care (PC) interventions have been shown to relieve many such burdens in other serious illnesses, no rigorous evidence exists for palliative care in CF. Thus, this study aims to compare the effect of specialist palliative care plus usual CF care vs usual CF care alone on patient quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a five-site, two-arm, partially masked, randomised superiority clinical trial. 264 adults with CF will be randomly assigned to usual CF care or usual CF care plus a longitudinal palliative care intervention delivered by a palliative care specialist. The trial's primary outcome is patient quality of life (measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative care instrument). Secondary outcomes include symptom burden, satisfaction with care and healthcare utilisation. Outcomes will be measured at 12 months (primary endpoint) and 15 months (secondary endpoint). In addition, we will conduct qualitative interviews with patient participants, caregivers, and palliative care and CF care team members to explore perceptions of the intervention's impact and barriers and facilitators to dissemination. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Human subjects research ethics approval was obtained from all participating sites, and all study participants gave informed consent. We will publish the results of this trial in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN53323164.

Frailty predicts outcomes in cystic fibrosis patients listed for lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Survival predictors are not established for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients listed for lung transplantation (LT). Using the deficit accumulation approach, we developed a CF-specific frailty index (FI) to allow risk stratification for adverse waitlist and post-LT outcomes. METHODS: We studied adult CF patients listed for LT in the Toronto LT Program (development cohort 2005-2015) and the Swiss LT centres (validation cohort 2008-2017). Comorbidities, treatment, laboratory results and social support at listing were utilized to develop a lung disease severity index (LI deficits, d = 18), a frailty index (FI, d = 66) and a lifestyle/social vulnerability index (LSVI, d = 10). We evaluated associations of the indices with worsening waitlist status, hospital and ICU length of stay, survival and graft failure. RESULTS: We studied 188 (Toronto cohort, 176 [94%] transplanted) and 94 (Swiss cohort, 89 [95%] transplanted) patients. The median waitlist times were 69 and 284 days, respectively. The median follow-up post-transplant was 5.3 and 4.7 years. At listing, 44.7% of patients were frail (FI ≥ 0.25) in the Toronto and 21.3% in the Swiss cohort. The FI was significantly associated with all studied outcomes in the Toronto cohort (FI and post-LT mortality, multivariable HR 1.74 [95%CI:1.24-2.45] per 0.1 point of the FI). In the Swiss cohort, the FI was associated with worsening waitlist status, post-LT mortality and graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: In CF patients listed for LT, FI risk stratification was significantly associated with waitlist and post-LT outcomes. Studying frailty in young populations with advanced disease can provide insights on how frailty and deficit accumulation impacts survival.