Short-term effect of air stacking and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on lung function in patients with neuromuscular diseases.

Air stacking (AS) and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) aim to increase cough efficacy by augmenting inspiratory lung volumes in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). We studied the short-term effect of AS and MI-E on lung function. We prospectively included NMD patients familiar with daily AS or MI-E use. Studied outcomes were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) prior to, immediately after, and up to 2 h after treatment. Paired sample T-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. Sixty-seven patients participated. We observed increased FVC and FEV1 immediately after AS with a mean difference of respectively 0.090 L (95% CI 0.045; 0.135, p < .001) and 0.073 L (95% CI 0.017; 0.128, p = .012). Increased FVC immediately after MI-E (mean difference 0.059 L (95% CI 0.010; 0.109, p = .021) persisted 1 hour (mean difference 0.079 L (95% CI 0.034; 0.125, p = .003). The effect of treatment was more pronounced in patients diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, compared to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. AS and MI-E improved FVC immediately after treatment, which persisted 1 h after MI-E. There is insufficient evidence that short-lasting increases in FVC would explain the possible beneficial effect of AS and MI-E.

Exercise oxidative skeletal muscle metabolism in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Do intrinsic abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis? What is the main finding and its importance? This study found no evidence that in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis in a stable clinical state intrinsic abnormalities in skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism seem to play a clinical significant role. Based on these results, we concluded that there is no metabolic constraint to benefit from exercise training. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are reported to have limited exercise capacity. There is no consensus about a possible abnormality in skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism in CF. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance in adolescents with mild CF. Ten adolescents with CF (12-18 years of age; forced expiratory volume in 1 s >80% of predicted; and resting oxygen saturation >94%) and 10 healthy age-matched control (HC) subjects were tested with supine cycle ergometry using near-infrared spectroscopy and (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study skeletal muscle oxygenation and oxidative metabolism during rest, exercise and recovery. No statistically significant (P > 0.1) differences in peak workload and peak oxygen uptake per kilogram lean body mass were found between CF and HC subjects. No differences were found between CF and HC subjects in bulk changes of quadriceps phosphocreatine (P = 0.550) and inorganic phosphate (P = 0.896) content and pH (P = 0.512) during symptom-limited exercise. Furthermore, we found statistically identical kinetics for phosphocreatine resynthesis during recovery for CF and HC subjects (P = 0.53). No statistically significant difference in peak exercise arbitrary units for total haemoglobin content was found between CF and HC subjects (P = 0.66). The results of this study provide evidence that in patients with mild CF and a stable clinical status (without signs of systemic inflammation and/or chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization), no intrinsic metabolic constraints and/or abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance.

Intestinal organoids and personalized medicine in cystic fibrosis: a successful patient-oriented research collaboration.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: New therapeutics have been introduced for cystic fibrosis that modulate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function in a mutation-specific fashion. Despite CFTR genotype-based stratification of treatments, treatment efficacy is variable between study participants suggesting that individual factors further contribute to drug efficacy. Moreover, these treatments are licensed for a limited amount of CFTR mutations, and study participants with rare mutations that can potentially benefit from available treatments may be missed. New approaches that better support the identification of responders to CFTR modulators are, therefore, needed. RECENT FINDINGS: We, here, review how a patient-oriented research collaboration between basic and clinical scientists and a national cystic fibrosis patient organization led to the development of a CFTR-dependent assay using primary stem cell cultures termed intestinal organoids that can measure the individual efficacy of CFTR modulators in a preclinical laboratory setting. Early observations suggest that drug responses in organoids reflect drug responses in vivo. SUMMARY: We particularly focus on the importance of patient-oriented research collaborations, and how such a collaboration helped to develop a personalized medicine approach for CFTR modulators. Intestinal organoids and biobanks thereof may be used to select optimal, individually tailored treatments for current and future (combinations of) CFTR modulators with only limited patient discomfort.

Maternal use of probiotics during pregnancy and effects on their offspring's health in an unselected population.

Probiotics are used by women in the perinatal period and may improve balance of microbiota, with possible health benefits for both mother and baby. Characteristics and (health) behaviour patterns of mothers using probiotics during pregnancy, and health effects on their offspring, were investigated. Differences between mothers using probiotics during pregnancy and those who did not, were assessed. In total, 341 out of 2491 (13.7%) mothers reported use of probiotics during pregnancy. There were no significant differences in maternal features (gestation, age, ethnicity, education) between users and non-users. Logistic regression analyses showed that consumption of probiotics was significantly associated with use of homeopathic products [odds ratio (OR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.33, p = 0.005], maternal history of smoking (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25-2.37, p = 0.001) and paternal history of smoking (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.89, p = 0.05). Common disease symptoms during the first year of life in the offspring did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSION: The use of probiotics or other health-related products without doctor's prescription during pregnancy might point to compensation for types of less favourable behaviour. Probiotic use during pregnancy does not seem to induce positive health effects in the offspring in an unselected population. WHAT IS KNOWN: Aberrant microbiota compositions have been detected during critical periods when early programming occurs including pregnancy and early neonatal life. Probiotics modulate intestinal microbiota composition and are associated with positive health effects. WHAT IS NEW: The use of probiotics or other health-related products without doctor's prescription during pregnancy is associated with and might point to compensation for types of less favourable behaviour. Probiotic use during pregnancy does not induce positive health effects in the offspring in this unselected population.

Role of parents in fatigue of children with a chronic disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: As parents majorly impact their child's well-being, and as fatigue is a highly prevalent threat to the well-being of children with a chronic disease, we aimed to explore the association between parental factors and fatigue in children with a chronic disease. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Two Dutch children's hospitals. Population: Children 2-18 years of age with either an autoimmune disease, cystic fibrosis or post-cancer treatment, and one of their parents. Main outcome measures: Paediatric fatigue was measured using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Parental factors included parental pain, fatigue and physical symptoms, parental distress, catastrophising thoughts about their child's pain and family empowerment. Multiple linear regressions were used to study associations with paediatric fatigue. A multivariable regression model was used to assess the effect of the different parental factors on paediatric fatigue. All analyses were adjusted for the age and sex of the child. Results: 204 families participated (mean age 11.0±4.3 and 43.5±6.3 years for children and parents, respectively; 69% participation rate). More parental pain, fatigue and physical symptoms, and more parental distress and pain catastrophising were associated with more paediatric fatigue. More parental empowerment was associated with less paediatric fatigue on both subscales. In the multivariable model, only paediatric age remained significantly associated with fatigue. In a separate multivariable model for children 8-18 years old, more parental distress (ß=-1.9, 95% CI -3.7 to -0.1) was also significantly associated with more paediatric fatigue. Conclusions: In a population of children with a chronic disease, parental factors, both physical and psychosocial, were associated with paediatric fatigue. Our study provides evidence that more family empowerment is associated with less paediatric fatigue. This exploratory study adds to our knowledge of associated factors with fatigue in paediatric chronic disease, providing starting points for targeted interventions.

Prediction of Real-World Long-Term Outcomes of People with CF Homozygous for the F508del Mutation Treated with CFTR Modulators.

The clinical response to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators is variable within people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) homozygous for the F508del mutation. The prediction of clinical effect in individual patients would be useful to target therapy to those who would benefit from it. A multicenter observational cohort study was conducted including 97 pwCF (F508del/F508del), who started lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) treatment before June 2018. In order to assess the associations of individual in vivo and in vitro biomarkers with clinical outcomes, we collected clinical data regarding sex, age, and sweat chloride concentration (SwCl) at baseline and after six months of LUM/IVA; the percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1) and the number of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) during the three years before up to three years after modulator initiation; and the forskolin-induced swelling (FIS) responses to LUM/IVA, quantified in intestinal organoids. On a group level, the results showed an acute change in ppFEV1 after LUM/IVA initiation (2.34%, 95% CI 0.85-3.82, p = 0.003), but no significant change in annual ppFEV1 decline in the three years after LUM/IVA compared to the three years before (change: 0.11% per year, 95%CI: -1.94-2.19, p = 0.913). Neither of these two outcomes was associated with any of the candidate predictors on an individual level. The median number of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) per patient year did not significantly change in the three years after LUM/IVA compared to the years before (median: 0.33/patient year, IQR: 0-0.67 before vs. median: 0/patient year, IQR: 0-0.67 after p = 0. 268). The PEx rate after modulator initiation was associated with the PEx rate before (IRR: 2.26, 95%CI: 1.67-3.08, p < 0.001), with sex (males vs. females IRR: 0.36, 95%CI: 0.21-0.63, p = 0.001) and with sweat chloride concentration (SwCl) at baseline (IRR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.94-0.98, p = 0.001). The change in SwCl was also significant (-22.9 mmol/L (95%CI: -27.1--18.8, p < 0.001) and was associated with SwCl at baseline (-0.64, 95%CI: -0.90--0.37, p < 0.001) and with sex (males vs. females 8.32, 95%CI: 1.82-14.82, p = 0.013). In conclusion, ppFEV1 decline after CFTR modulator initiation remains difficult to predict in individual patients in a real-world setting, with limited effectiveness for double CFTR modulator therapies. The PEx rate prior to CFTR modulator treatment initiation, sex and SwCl at baseline could be potential predictors of long-term PEx rate and of changes in SwCl after modulator initiation.

Fatigue among children with a chronic disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To determine: (1) which biological/lifestyle, psychological and/or social factors are associated with fatigue among children with a chronic disease and (2) how much each of these factors contributes to explaining variance in fatigue. Design and setting: This was a cross-sectional study across two children's hospitals. Patients: We included children aged 8-18 years who visited the outpatient clinic with cystic fibrosis, an autoimmune disease or postcancer treatment. Main outcome measures: Fatigue was assessed using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Generic biological/lifestyle, psychological and social factors were assessed using clinical assessment tools and questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the associations between these factors and fatigue. Finally, a multivariable regression model was used to determine which factor(s) have the strongest effect on fatigue. Results: A total of 434 out of 902 children were included (48% participation rate), with a median age of 14.5 years; 42% were male. Among these 434 children, 21.8% were severely fatigued. Together, all biopsychosocial factors explained 74.6% of the variance in fatigue. More fatigue was uniquely associated with poorer physical functioning, more depressive symptoms, more pressure at school, poorer social functioning and older age. Conclusions: Fatigue among children with a chronic disease is multidimensional. Multiple generic biological/lifestyle, psychological and social factors were strongly associated with fatigue, explaining 58.4%; 65.8% and 50.0% of the variance in fatigue, respectively. Altogether, almost three-quarters of the variance in fatigue was explained by this biopsychosocial model. Thus, when assessing and treating fatigue, a transdiagnostic approach is preferred, taking into account biological, psychological and social factors.

CFTR activity is enhanced by the novel corrector GLPG2222, given with and without ivacaftor in two randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Several treatment approaches in cystic fibrosis (CF) aim to correct CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function; the efficacy of each approach is dependent on the mutation(s) present. A need remains for more effective treatments to correct functional deficits caused by the F508del mutation. METHODS: Two placebo-controlled, phase 2a studies evaluated GLPG2222, given orally once daily for 29 days, in subjects homozygous for F508del (FLAMINGO) or heterozygous for F508del and a gating mutation, receiving ivacaftor (ALBATROSS). The primary objective of both studies was to assess safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives included assessment of pharmacokinetics, and of the effect of GLPG2222 on sweat chloride concentrations, pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-nine and 37 subjects were enrolled into FLAMINGO and ALBATROSS, respectively. Treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 29.2% (14/48) of subjects in FLAMINGO and 40.0% (12/30) in ALBATROSS; most were mild to moderate in severity and comprised primarily respiratory, gastrointestinal, and infection events. There were no deaths or discontinuations due to TEAEs. Dose-dependent decreases in sweat chloride concentrations were seen in GLPG2222-treated subjects (maximum decrease in FLAMINGO: -17.6 mmol/L [GLPG2222 200 mg], p < 0.0001; ALBATROSS: -7.4 mmol/L [GLPG2222 300 mg], p < 0.05). No significant effects on pulmonary function or respiratory symptoms were reported. Plasma GLPG2222 concentrations in CF subjects were consistent with previous studies in healthy volunteers and CF subjects. CONCLUSIONS: GLPG2222 was well tolerated. Sweat chloride reductions support on-target enhancement of CFTR activity in subjects with F508del mutation(s). Significant improvements in clinical endpoints were not demonstrated. Observed safety results support further evaluation of GLPG2222, including in combination with other CFTR modulators. FUNDING: Galapagos NV. Clinical trial registration numbers FLAMINGO, NCT03119649; ALBATROSS, NCT03045523.

Correction factors for oxygen and flow-rate effects on neonatal Fleisch and Lilly pneumotachometers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of different oxygen concentrations and flow rates on the measurement errors of neonatal pneumotachometers in heated and unheated situations and to develop correction factors to correct for these effects. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic with equipment in a standardized setting. SUBJECTS: Neonatal pneumotachometers. INTERVENTIONS: In standardized conditions, the tested pneumotachometer was calibrated at a flow rate of 3 L/min with 60% oxygen and was set in series with a closed spirometer system being used as a reference. Different air-flow levels (1-9 L/min) and oxygen concentrations (21-100%) were infused into the closed system with the pneumotachometer and spirometer. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The pneumotachometers were significantly affected by changing oxygen concentrations (p < .01) and increasing flow rates (p < .01), increasing the actually measured flow rate. Correction factors, developed by multiple regression analysis, significantly reduced the overall maximum errors of the pneumotachometers from -1.1 to 0.6 L/min to -0.5 to 0.4 L/min. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of changes in oxygen concentrations and flow rates on neonatal pneumotachometers could be considerably decreased by the use of correction factors such as were calculated in this study. This will preclude frequent calibration procedures with actual flow and oxygen levels during changes in experimental settings.