Cystic Fibrosis
Welcome to the Cystic Fibrosis Guideline and Supporting Systematic Review
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease in which affected individuals produce thick, sticky mucus in multiple organs, including the lungs and pancreas. The complexity of this disease requires an inter-disciplinary, integrated approach to care. Nutrition care is central to this approach, since poor nutritional status in individuals with CF is associated with disease decline. Nutritional status is likely to be compromised in individuals with CF, because CF increases energy needs as well as nutrient malabsorption. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are on the front lines of counseling individuals with CF, their families and their healthcare teams regarding optimal, individualized, nutrition care to prevent malnutrition and other nutrition-related concerns. Thus, it is crucial to improve understanding regarding methods by which RDNs can improve nutrition-related outcomes for individuals with CF, including nutritional status and lung function.
This guideline is intended for use by the RDN or international equivalent working with individuals with CF. It is intended to address gaps in current evidence-based practice guidelines and to address key questions that have arisen in CF nutrition practice due to developments in CF treatment, particularly CFTR modulation therapy. It is based on the systematic review published here in 2019. Guideline topics addressed are:
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Nutrition Screening and Assessment
- Dietary Intake
- General Guidance
- Dietary Intake with CFRD or Overweight/Obesity
- Macronutrient Distribution
- Fiber Intake
- Infant Feeding
Systematic Review
The aim of the systematic review supporting the evidence-based guideline was to examine the current evidence regarding optimal nutrition screening and assessment methods and the relationships between MNT, dietary intake and nutrition-related outcomes for people with CF.
Systematic Review Key Findings: The evidence examining the relationship between MNT delivered by and RDN and nutrition-related outcomes in CF was sparse. Observational evidence described that MNT did improve anthropometric outcomes in pediatric participants with CF when delivered at least quarterly. However, evidence quality was very low for all other nutrition-related outcomes, including pulmonary function.
While controlled trials provide the highest-quality evidence, it was clear from a prior scoping review that evidence regarding the relationships between dietary intake and nutrition-related outcomes was sparse and, thus, observational evidence was also examined in this systematic review. Though the workgroup searched for a wide variety of dietary exposures including specific food groups, dietary patterns and macronutrient distribution, only 17 observational studies met inclusion criteria, and most had a cross-sectional study design. This limited evidence described no clear relationships between dietary intake and nutrition-related outcomes for individuals with CF.
Scoping Review
The work on this project started in 2018 by conducting a thorough scoping review designed to examine the extent, range and nature of the available nutrition research in individuals with CF. The results of the scoping review were used to guide the focus of the systematic review, including the development of the research questions.
Use the links on the left navigation to access the content. Expand the section below titled Project Team and Disclosures for a listing of individuals who contributed to the development of the project, disclosures and project funding information. Expand the section below titled Articles and Resources.
9/17/2020
- Guideline and Systematic Review Project Team and Disclosures (2018-2020)
The following individuals contributed their valuable time and expertise to this project:
Workgroup Members
- Catherine M. McDonald, PhD, MS, RDN, CSP, Chair
Clinical Dietitian, Intermountain Healthcare – Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Jessica A. Alvarez, PhD, MS, RDN
Assistant Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Julianna Bailey, MS, RDN, LD
Clinical Dietitian, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Ellen K. Bowser, MS, RDN, LDN, RN, FAND
Associate in Pediatrics/Faculty Nutritionist, University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Division, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Kristen M. Farnham, MSH, RD, CSP, LDN
Clinical Pediatric Dietitian, Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, FL USA
- Laura Grande Padula, MS, RD, LDN, CSP
Advanced Practice Dietitian, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Patient Advocate Workgroup Members
- Mark W. Mangus, Sr., BSRC, RPFT, RRT, RCP, FAARC
Respiratory Care Practitioner, Self-Employed, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Kathleen Q. Porco, MS, NBC-HWC
Diabetes Educator, Attain-Health Foundation, Red Lodge, MT, USA
Project Manager
- Mary Rozga, PhD, RD
Nutrition Researcher, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
Lead Analyst
- Erica K. Gradwell, MS, RD (through 10/2018)
Consultant, Arvada, CO, USA
- Mary Katherine Hoy, EdD, RD (as of 11/1/2018)
Nutritionist, ARS-USDA, Beltsville, MD, USA
Methodologist
- Deepa Handu, PhD, RD
Senior Scientist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
Evidence Analysts
- Lyanne Chin, PhD candidate, RDN
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Megan D. Baumler, PhD, RDN, LD
DPD Director/Assistant Professor, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Erika M. Carrasquilla, MS, RD, LDN
Analyst, Huron Consulting Group, Chicago, IL, USA
- Alanna Clark, MPH
Public Health Nutritionist (WIC), Mecklenburg County, Carolinas Healthcare Systems, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Krista Engen, MS, RD
Clinical Research Coordinator, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Sharon P. Foley, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Christiane L. Meireles, PhD, RDN, LD
Clinical Asstiant Professor, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Jessica West Schueler, MS, RDN
Clinical Dietitian, St. Charles Health System, Bend OR, USA
- Jinyu Xu, PhD, MPH, RD
Research Scientists, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
- Amy Yahiro, MS, RD, LDN
Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine, North American Spine Society, Burr Ridge, IL USA
Guideline Reviewers
- Nicole Benesh, RD, LD
Clinical Dietitian, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Zachari Breeding, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND
Advanced Clinical Dietitian, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Candace H. Chemtob, MS, RDN, LD
Clinical and Research Dietitian, Central Florida Pulmonary Group, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Orlando, FL, USA
- Rachel Driscoll, MS, RD, CD-N
Outpatient Dietitian, Bristol Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- Aimee R. Goyette, RD
Dietitian, Atlantic Health, Morristown, NJ, USA
- Shannon N. Gregg, MS, RD, LD
Senior Clinical Nutritionist, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Angel M. Jones, MS, RD
Clinical Dietitian, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Susannah J. King, MSc(Hon), MNutDIet, MPH, PhD, Grad Cert Health Prof Educ, Accredited Practicing Dietitian (Australia)
Senior Dietitian, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mallory R. Lacey, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA
- Beth Ogata, MS, RD, CSP
Lecturer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sobhana Ranjan, PhD, RD, LD
Dietitian and Adjunct Faculty, Claxton Dietetic Solutions, LLC & Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington, KY
- Elizabeth K. Reid, MS, RDN, LDN
Clinical Dietitian, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Emily H. Russell, MS, RD, LD, CSP, IBCLC
Senior Dietitian, Baylor Pediatric CF Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Kayle J. Skorupski, MS, RDN-AP, CSG, CNSC, FANDAssistant Professor of Practice, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Valerie E. Tarn, MS, RDN, LD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Training Director of Pediatric Pulmonary Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Maria R. Mascarenhas, MBBS,
Section Chief, Nutrition, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania – The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Asim Maqbool, MD
Medical Director, Center for Pancreatic Disorders, Attending Physician, GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Virginia A. Stallings, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Director Nutrition Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Sarah Hempstead, MS
Practice Guidelines Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, MD, USA
Financial Contributors
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Medical Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group DPG
The views or interests of the funding bodies did not influence the development of this systematic review.
Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest: In the interest of full disclosure, the Academy has adopted the policy of revealing relationships workgroup members have with companies that sell products or services that are relevant to this topic. Workgroup members are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest by completing the Academy Conflict of Interest Form. It should not be assumed that these financial interests will have adverse impact on the content, but they are noted here to fully inform readers:
- Alvarez, J: received funding as grant principal investigator from the National Institute of Health.
- Scoping Review Project Team and Disclosures (2018)
The following individuals contributed their valuable time and expertise to the review:
Project Manager
- Mary R. Rozga, PhD, RDN
Nutrition Researcher, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
Methodologist
- Deepa Handu, PhD, RDN
Senior Scientist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, IL, USA
Content Advisors
- Jessica Alvarez, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Ellen K. Bowser, MS, RD, LD, RN, FAND
Faculty Nutritionist, Pediatric Pulmonary Division, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
Financial Contributors
- Medical Nutrition Practice Group
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest: In the interest of full disclosure, the Academy has adopted the policy of revealing relationships workgroup members and content advisors have with companies that sell products or services that are relevant to this topic. Workgroup members and content advisors are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest by completing the Academy Conflict of Interest Form. It should not be assumed that these financial interests will have adverse impact on the content, but they are noted here to fully inform readers:
- Alvarez, J: received funding from the National Institute of Health for a grant
- Articles and Guideline Resources (2020)
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: 2020 Cystic Fibrosis Evidence Analysis Center Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline. McDonald CM, Alvarez JA, Bailey J, Bowser EK, Farnham K, Mangus M, Padula L, Porco K, Rozga M. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020; S2212-2672(20)30302-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2020.03.015
- Dietary Macronutrient Distribution and Nutrition Outcomes in Persons with Cystic Fibrosis: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review. McDonald CM, Bowser EK, Farnham K, Alvarez JA, Padula L, Rozga M. Dietary Macronutrient Distribution and Nutrition Outcomes in Persons with Cystic Fibrosis: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review. . J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020; S2212-2672(20)30303-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2020.03.016
- Effect of CFTR Modulators on Anthropometric Parameters in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review. Bailey J, Rozga M, McDonald CM, Bowser EK, Farnham K, Mangus M, Padula L, Porco K, Alvarez JA. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020; S2212-2672(20)30301-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2020.03.014
- Cystic Fibrosis (2020) Guideline Presentation - includes all the recommendations and ratings of the guideline in a PowerPoint presentation format. Ideal for in-service presentations, staff training sessions and classes (not designed for patient or client use). Download for free.