To determine the prevalence of overweight in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to analyse its role as diabetogenic insulin resistance factor and risk of hypertriglyceridaemia.
A total of 109 CF patients (47%males) between 5 and 18 years were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal and overweight. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, C- reactive protein (CRP), glycosylated haemoglobin, HOMA-IR and QUICKI index were determined. Insulinogenic index, ISI composite and areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin were obtained by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Six patients (5.5%) were overweight. All groups had similar distribution by age, sex and CFTR mutation, although the proportion of pancreatic sufficient (3/6, 50%) was higher in overweight patients (P=.003). The prevalence of glycaemic disorders was similar between groups. Baseline insulin, HOMA-IR, and insulin during the OGTT (peak and AUC) were higher in overweight patients. All patients had a delayed insulin response in OGTT.
Overweight CF patients do not have a higher incidence of glycaemic disorders, but their hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance may be additional diabetogenic risk factors.