Clinical Research Directory

Gastrointestinal Response of Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients on Mediterranean Diet

There is no study to date that has evaluated the impact or effect of a Mediterranean diet in children with CF. The goal of this study would be to help provide better guidance around questions we, as CF care providers continue to receive from patients and families about how to best promote overall health in pediatric cystic fibrosis from a dietary perspective. Currently, the updated nutritional recommendations are variable and broad. Parents continue to search for more concrete guidance about how best to promote long-term health given the ever-increasing life expectancy of cystic fibrosis patients in this new area of advanced therapeutics. Given the changing landscape of the CF care in general, children are less likely to struggle with early life malnutrition, and it is becoming increasingly clear that high fat, high calorie diets are not beneficial nor are necessary for all children with CF.

Cardiac Structure and Function in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

In a prospective observational cohort study (n = 100), the investigators aim to assess the correlation between cardiac biomarkers, advanced echocardiography and cystic fibrosis genotype and severity and determine whether these are prognostic markers of heart disease in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF).

Intestinal Inflammation in CF Patients

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a disease that affects salt and water transport in multiple organs. Many CF patients suffer from abdominal pain and this could be due to intestinal inflammation. However, so far we do not know how many of the CF patients actually do have intestinal inflammation when looking at intestinal specimens. There is a proven connection between chronic inflammation and developing colorectal cancer and over the years more CF patients are developing colorectal cancer. Thus, it becomes increasingly important to look for the presence of intestinal inflammation in CF patients since early treatment may improve their symptoms and reduce the risk for colorectal cancer.

Real World Clinical Outcomes With Novel Modulator Therapy Combinations in People With CF (RECOVER)

RECOVER is a prospective, multicenter observational study designed to measure the real world clinical effectiveness of elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor triple combination therapy (Kaftrio) in people with cystic fibrosis over a two year period. Measured outcomes include measures of lung function, lung inflammation, lung imaging, abdominal symptoms, gut inflammation, liver function, pancreatic exocrine function, nasal inflammation, quality of life and adherence to therapy. The study will examine outcomes in children aged six years and above over a period of two years. The first phase of the study will commence in 2020, recruiting children 12 years and older who have started on clinical treatment with Kaftrio.