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Lung transplantation (LT) is the only effective form of therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) associated with end-stage pulmonary failure. In Italy, the management of CF is regulated by national law, which has instituted regional centers for care and follow-up of all CF patients. LT has been performed since 1992 in only nine LT certified centers. The structured national organization has led to a unified database for LT for CF. As of December 2006, 197 bilateral LT (96 male and 94 female patients; 7 retransplants) have been performed. Of these, four had also liver or heart and liver transplantation, and three are long-term survivors. Overall median survival is 7 years. Mean age at transplantation is 26.5 years, and the mortality on the waiting list is 33.6%. Patients listed for transplant either received a suitable donor within a mean of 10 months or died within a mean of 5.5 months. The most frequent cause of death is bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Our nationwide database indicates the excellent results obtained by LT in FC. Still, mortality on the waiting list remains a challenge and long-term outcome is limited by BOS.

Fifty nine C.F. pts (38 males) aged 14-41 years have been considered, for all of them the following parameters were taken into account: Shwachman clinical score modified (radiological evaluation emended), steatorrhea, liver function tests (SGOT, SGPT, GT, Bilirubin, AP, Quick T.), A and B hepatitis markers and ultrasonographic scan of pancreas and hepatobiliary system. 23 pts (38%) presented well recognized hepatobiliary involvement: 2 pts (3%) evident cirrhosis, 3 pts (5%) cirrhosis with portal hypertension and esophageal varices, 5 pts (8%) were affected with signs of chronic hepatopathy, 13 pts (22%) presented gallbladder stones.

Summary Background Long-term complications of cystic fibrosis include osteoporosis and fragility fractures, but few data are available about effective treatment strategies, especially in young patients. We investigated treatment of low bone mineral density in children, adolescents, and young adults with cystic fibrosis. Methods We did a multicentre trial in two phases. We enrolled patients aged 5–30 years with cystic fibrosis and low bone mineral density, from ten cystic fibrosis regional centres in Italy. The first phase was an open-label, 12-month observational study of the effect of adequate calcium intake plus calcifediol. The second phase was a 12-month, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of the efficacy and safety of oral alendronate in patients whose bone mineral apparent density had not increased by 5% or more by the end of the observational phase. Patients were randomly assigned to either alendronate or placebo. Both patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. We used dual x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and every 6 months thereafter, corrected for body size, to assess lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density. We assessed bone turnover markers and other laboratory parameters every 3–6 months. The primary endpoint was mean increase of lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01812551. Findings We screened 540 patients and enrolled 171 (mean age 13·8 years, SD 5·9, range 5–30). In the observational phase, treatment with calcium and calcifediol increased bone mineral apparent density by 5% or more in 43 patients (25%). 128 patients entered the randomised phase. Bone mineral apparent density increased by 16·3% in the alendronate group (n=65) versus 3·1% in the placebo group (n=63; p=0·0010). 19 of 57 young people (33·3%) receiving alendronate attained a normal-for-age bone mineral apparent density Z score. In the observational phase, five patients had moderate episodes of hypercalciuria, which resolved after short interruption of calcifediol treatment. During the randomised phase, one patient taking alendronate had mild fever versus none in the placebo group; treatment groups did not differ significantly for other adverse events. Interpretation Correct calcium intake plus calcifediol can improve bone mineral density in some young patients with cystic fibrosis. In those who do not respond to calcium and calcifediol alone, alendronate can safely and effectively increase bone mineral density. Funding Telethon Foundation (Italy).

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is a common condition in patients with cystic fibrosis. Large amounts of pancreatic enzyme supplements are required to reduce malabsorption but patient compliance is not always optimal.To compare patients' preference and the efficacy of two enteric coated microsphere preparations in patients with cystic fibrosis.Patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis.Patients were assigned to the crossover treatment with Creon or Pancrease for 1 week and then to the alternative treatment. Patients had to follow a fixed diet (at least 2 g fat/kg) and had to assume 1000 units lipase/g fat. The evaluation parameters were: patients' preference, acceptance of therapy, stool fat excretion, stool weight, gastrointestinal symptoms, and tolerance.Of the 33/60 patients who expressed a preference for one of the two treatments, 30 preferred Creon while only 3 patients preferred Pancrease (p0.001). No difference between the two treatments was observed regarding stool characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms and tolerance. The mean number of capsules taken daily was reduced by 35% with Creon. The results of this study showed a preference in favour of Creon probably due to the reduction of daily capsule intake of 35%, supporting digestion as well as Pancrease.