Many cystic fibrosis patients considered “underweight”

Improved nutritional status for cystic fibrosis patients

Nearly 25 percent of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are severely underweight and suffer from nutritional deficiencies, said Dana Kissner, MD, assistant professor of internal medicine. These nutritional deficiencies are generally associated with CF complications including loss of nutrients, loss of appetite and increased energy expenditure.

Megace may help cystic fibrosis patients combat nutritional deficiencies.

With a three-year grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Dr. Kissner is testing the drug megestrol acetate--or Megace--as an appetite stimulant for CF patients. Megace has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to aid in weight gain for people with AIDS and has been effective in patients with cancer. "In this study, we are trying to determine whether Megace improves energy balance in adults with CF, and if so, whether weight gain improves quality of life, sense of well-being, and physiologic function," said Dr. Kissner.

The benefits for AIDS and cancer patients can not be automatically assumed to apply to CF patients without further study. CF has complicating factors including malabsorption, risk for diabetes, chronic infection and severe lung disease--all of which could affect the efficacy and safety of the drug. "We will closely observe whether or not Megace improves energy balance, sense of well-being, and function," said Dr. Kissner.

Dana Kissner continues an active clinical CF program and her past research has focused on outcomes of adults with CF. Her research is pursued through the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.