Open AccessSerum Iron Level Is Associated with Time to Antibiotics in Cystic Fibrosis
Author(s) -
Gifford Alex H.,
Dorman Dana B.,
Moulton Lisa A.,
Helm Jennifer E.,
Griffin Mary M.,
MacKenzie Todd A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical and translational science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.303
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1752-8062
pISSN - 1752-8054
DOI - 10.1111/cts.12358
Subject(s) - abx test , sputum , medicine , cystic fibrosis , sputum culture , diabetes mellitus , gastroenterology , univariate analysis , exacerbation , multivariate analysis , physiology , endocrinology , tuberculosis , pathology , statistics , mathematics
Abstract Background Serum levels of hepcidin‐25, a peptide hormone that reduces blood iron content, are elevated when patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop pulmonary exacerbation (PEx). Because hepcidin‐25 is unavailable as a clinical laboratory test, we questioned whether a one‐time serum iron level was associated with the subsequent number of days until PEx, as defined by the need to receive systemic antibiotics (ABX) for health deterioration. Methods Clinical, biochemical, and microbiological parameters were simultaneously checked in 54 adults with CF. Charts were reviewed to determine when they first experienced a PEx after these parameters were assessed. Time to ABX was compared in subgroups with and without specific attributes. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify parameters that significantly explained variation in time to ABX. Results In univariate analyses, time to ABX was significantly shorter in subjects with Aspergillus ‐positive sputum cultures and CF‐related diabetes. Multivariate linear regression models demonstrated that shorter time to ABX was associated with younger age, lower serum iron level, and Aspergillus sputum culture positivity. Conclusions Serum iron, age, and Aspergillus sputum culture positivity are factors associated with shorter time to subsequent PEx in CF adults.