Glucose tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis: five year prospective study

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Abstract
Objectives: To study prevalence and incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with cystic fibrosis. Design: Five year prospective study with annual oral glucose tolerance tests. Setting: CF Center Copenhagen, Denmark. Subjects: 191 patients with cystic fibrosis aged above 2 years. Main outcome measures: Glucose tolerance, plasma glucose concentrations after fasting and after glucose loading, and haemoglobin A1c levels. Results: Prevalence of diabetes increased from 11% (n=21) to 24% (n=46) during study, with annual age dependent incidence of 4-9%. Diabetes was diagnosed at median age of 21 (range 3-40 Conclusions: Prevalence and incidence of diabetes in cystic fibrosis patients was high and increased with age. Since hyperglycaemic symptoms, fasting hyperglycaemia, and increased levels of glycated haemoglobin did not reliably identify diabetes mellitus, we recommend annual oral glucose tolerance tests in all cystic fibrosis patients aged over 10 years.