RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND RESPIRATORY FUNCTION IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Key words: Cystic Fibrosis, Nutrition, Respiratory functions

19 patients out of 44 affected by CF were malnourished. In malnourished patients, respiratory insufficiency was more severe, and the nutritional input was larger. Improvement of nutrition, mostly by mouth, successfully improved the nutritional status, but did not improve respiratory function. Neither malnutrition nor respiratory deterioration was prevented by early diagnosis (screening).