Cystic Fibrosis Flashcards
What is CF? (3)
- Autosomal recessive disease (two copies of the gene must be mutated for the person to be affected)
- CF is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR)
- The most common mutation is F508del
What does CFTR do?
Regulates chloride ion across apical membranes
- Airways, GIT, pancreas, kidney, sweat glands, and male reproductive glands
Dysfunction of CFTR results in disruption of: (3)
- Chloride secretion
- Sodium reabsorption
- Water transport
Mutations in CFTR impact the composition of secretions and mucus which results in?
Results in thick mucous and secretions, which cause the manifestations of CF
What to know (very general) about CF genotypes? (3)
- Class I through VI
- Differences in presentation of CFTR and function
- e.g., Class I have no CFTR, but Class IV mutations have impaired chloride conductance and some function
What are some examples of CF phenotype? (5)
- Lung disease
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Nutrient malabsorption
- Liver issues
- Male infertility
CF affects mostly which race?
Caucasians
What is the pathophysiology of CF? (3)
- Lack of functional CFTR protein affects water balance in mucous
- Decreased water component, which causes thick and sticky secretions - Secretions obstruct the ducts on various organs and small airways on the lungs
- Leads to chronic infection and/or inflammation in many different areas of the body
CF affects the whole body, but what are the 4 major areas we are focusing on?
- Pulmonary
- GI
- Infertility
- Nasal polyps
What is the key complication in CF?
Pulmonary exacerbation
- Thick lung secretions are hard to clear and leads to bacterial colonization
Lungs are typically colonized with: (5)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Staph. aureus
- H. influenzae
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- Burkholderia cepacian
What are the signs and symptoms in the pulmonary system with CF? (4)
- Chronic and persistent, productive cough
- Purulent and/or blood in sputum - Dyspnea
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
What does a pulmonary exacerbation of CF entail?
Increase in respiratory symptoms with systemic symptoms
- Malaise, anorexia, weight loss
Routine ____ are done to track pulmonary function in CF patients
PFTs
How does CF affect the GI system? (4)
- Result of thick secretions in GIT and causing obstructions
- GERD, meconium ileus, distal intestinal, intussusception, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), constipation, rectal prolapse
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (ADEK)
- Neuropathy, coagulopathy, osteoporosis
What to know about pancreatic insufficiency in CF patients? (4)
- Present from birth in most patients
- Decreased volume of pancreatic secretions in ducts
- Causes destruction of the pancreas because these secretions are retained - Leads to decreased absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins
- Steatorrhea and malnutrition
- Osteoporosis - Long-term complications: chronic pancreatitis, glucose intolerance and CF-related diabetes (CFRD)
What are 2 things to note about CF related diabetes (CFRD)?
- Patients are living longer, so this is a more common complication
- Exact mechanism is unknown, but might be due to pancreatic scarring
How does CF cause infertility in males and females? (3)
- CFTR mutation causes a congenital absence of vas deferens
- Greater than 95% male infertility due to absent or abnormal vas deferens
- Females may also have decreased fertility due to thick cervical mucus
- Acts as a spermicide
Nasal polyps predisposes the person for _______ _________
chronic sinusitis
What are the 3 goals of therapy for CF?
- Maintain lung function as much as possible - ongoing
- Maintain adequate nutrition - ongoing
- Maintain quality of life
What are 3 pharmacotherapy principles to be aware of for CF?
- CF patients should be followed and managed by a multidisciplinary team that specialize in CF care
- Medications are given lifelong
- Monitor for adverse effects and adherence - Adherence is key – especially for inhaled therapies
- Check adherence and inhaled device technique every 3-6 months or if worsening clinical status
The goal of pulmonary therapies is to ________ ______ _________
increase airway clearance
The administration order of the inhaled CF therapies is important. What is that order?
- Bronchodilator –>
- Hypertonic saline (3 or 7%) –>
- Dornase Alfa –>
- Physical airway clearance (chest physio) –>
- Inhaled antibiotics –>
- Inhaled corticosteroids
The pulmonary therapies are indicated in all CF patients _ years and older
6