Effect of Sex Differences on Computed Tomography Findings in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Study / Efecto de las diferencias de sexo en los hallazgos en la tomografía axial computerizada en adultos con fibrosis quística: un estudio multicentro

Background: The survival of women with cystic fibrosis (CF) is lower than that of men by approximately 5 years. While various factors have been put forward to account for this discrepancy, no specific reasons have been established. Our hypothesis was that anatomical-structural involvement is more pronounced in women with CF than in men and that this is reflected in thoracic HRCT findings.Material and methods: We performed a prospective multicentre study, in which adult patients were consecutively included over 18 months. Chest HRCT was performed, and findings were scored by 2 thoracic radiologists using the modified Bhalla system. We also studied respiratory function, applied the CFQR 14+ questionnaire, and collected clinical variables.Results: Of the 360 patients followed up in the participating units, 160 were eventually included. Mean age was 28 years, and 47.5% were women. The mean±SD global score on the modified Bhalla score was 13.7±3.8 in women and 15.2±3.8 in men (p=0.024). The highest scores were observed for sacculations, bronchial generations, and air trapping in women. Women had lower BMI, %FEV1, %FVC, and %DLCO. Similarly, the results for the respiratory domain in CFQR 14+ were worse in women, who also had more annual exacerbations.Conclusions: This is the first study to provide evidence of the implication of sex differences in HRCT findings in patients with CF. Women with CF present a more severe form of the disease that results in more frequent exacerbations, poorer functional and nutritional outcomes, deterioration of quality of life, and greater structural damage. (AU)

Introducción: La supervivencia de las mujeres con fibrosis quística (FQ) es menor que la de los varones, en aproximadamente 5 años. Si bien se han presentado varios factores para explicar esta discrepancia, no se han establecido razones específicas. Nuestra hipótesis fue que el compromiso anatómico-estructural es más pronunciado en las mujeres con FQ que en los varones, y que esto se refleja en los hallazgos de la TCAR torácica.Materiales y métodos: Realizamos un estudio prospectivo multicéntrico, en el que los pacientes adultos se fueron incluyendo consecutivamente durante 18 meses. Se realizó un TCAR de tórax, y 2 radiólogos torácicos evaluaron los hallazgos utilizando la escala de Bhalla modificada. También estudiamos la función respiratoria, aplicamos el cuestionario CFQR 14+ y recogimos ciertas variables clínicas.Resultados: De los 360 pacientes en seguimiento en las unidades participantes, finalmente se incluyeron 160. La edad media fue de 28 años, y el 47,5% eran mujeres. La puntuación global media±DE en la escala de Bhalla modificada fue de 13,7±3,8 en mujeres y de 15,2±3,8 en varones (p=0,024). Las puntuaciones más altas se observaron para las saculaciones o abscesos, las generaciones bronquiales y el atrapamiento de aire en mujeres. Las mujeres tenían un IMC, % FEV1, % FVC y % DLCO más bajos. Del mismo modo, los resultados para el dominio respiratorio en el CFQR 14+ fueron peores en las mujeres, que también tenían más exacerbaciones anuales.Conclusiones: Este es el primer estudio que proporciona evidencia de la implicación de las diferencias de sexo en los hallazgos de la TCAR en pacientes con FQ. Las mujeres con FQ presentan una forma más grave de la enfermedad que resulta en exacerbaciones más frecuentes, peores resultados funcionales y nutricionales, deterioro de la calidad de vida y mayor daño estructural. (AU)

Effect of Sex Differences on Computed Tomography Findings in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The survival of women with cystic fibrosis (CF) is lower than that of men by approximately 5 years. While various factors have been put forward to account for this discrepancy, no specific reasons have been established. Our hypothesis was that anatomical-structural involvement is more pronounced in women with CF than in men and that this is reflected in thoracic HRCT findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective multicentre study, in which adult patients were consecutively included over 18 months. Chest HRCT was performed, and findings were scored by 2 thoracic radiologists using the modified Bhalla system. We also studied respiratory function, applied the CFQR 14+ questionnaire, and collected clinical variables. RESULTS: Of the 360 patients followed up in the participating units, 160 were eventually included. Mean age was 28 years, and 47.5% were women. The mean±SD global score on the modified Bhalla score was 13.7±3.8 in women and 15.2±3.8 in men (p=0.024). The highest scores were observed for sacculations, bronchial generations, and air trapping in women. Women had lower BMI, %FEV1, %FVC, and %DLCO. Similarly, the results for the respiratory domain in CFQR 14+ were worse in women, who also had more annual exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide evidence of the implication of sex differences in HRCT findings in patients with CF. Women with CF present a more severe form of the disease that results in more frequent exacerbations, poorer functional and nutritional outcomes, deterioration of quality of life, and greater structural damage.

Predictive value of the modified Bhalla score for assessment of pulmonary exacerbations in adults with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the predictive value of the modified Bhalla score in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for assessment of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We also describe the relationship between this score and pulmonary function test results. METHODS: We performed a multicenter and prospective study where adult patients with CF were included consecutively over 18 months. All patients underwent HRCT with acquisition in inspiration and expiration. The results were analyzed by an expert radiologist who assigned a modified Bhalla score value. Lung function was also assessed, and clinical variables were collected. Follow-up lasted approximately 1 year, and PEx were registered. RESULTS: The study population comprised 160 subjects selected from 360 CF patients monitored in the participating CF units. The mean age was 28 years, 47.5% were women, and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 67.5%. The mean global modified Bhalla score was 14.5 ± 0.31 points. Pulmonary function test (PFT) results and the modified Bhalla score correlated well, mainly forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1. We constructed a statistical model based on the overall Bhalla score to predict the number of PEx. CONCLUSIONS: The overall modified Bhalla score can predict future PEx in CF patients. This useful tool can help to prevent PEx in higher risk patients. KEY POINTS: • Pulmonary function test results and the modified Bhalla score correlated well with FVC and FEV1. • The total modified Bhalla score can predict the number of exacerbations in adult CF patients. • Our findings highlight the need to establish a unified protocol for chest HRCT during the follow-up of adult patients with CF in order to anticipate possible complications and determine their impact on pulmonary function.