Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes: A Literature Review - Dissertation Example

The results of the OGTT, fasting glucose were 5.6 plus/minus .9 mmol/ and HbA1c 6.3 plus/minus .8%. Seven patients presented with CFRD and six were impaired. When reviewing the CGMS 8 were diabetic at greater than 11.1 mmol/1. According to Jefferies et al (2000) "sensitivity and specificity of CGMS for diagnosing CFRD was 90 and 100% respectively". Further, they found that "Hba1c correlated with both mean glucose on CGMS and OGTT fasting glucose" (p. 35). Jefferies et al (2000) concluded that CGMS was as effective as OGTT in identifying CFRD.

Further findings revealed that CGMS was "especially useful in evaluating the glycemic effects of supplemental feeds, erratic large meals and in those with borderline or questionable results of OGTT" (Jefferies et al, 2000: 35). Azzopardi and Lowes found that increased longevity in patients with CF corresponds to increased diagnosis of CFRD attributed mainly to pancreatic disease causing deficiency in insulin production and further noted the lack of literature relating to the clinical application.

Similarly, Wilson et al (2000) noted the same including that most of the literature available offered only anecdotal evidence and minimal practical clinical application and further suggest that additional complications of CFRD negatively impact patient nutrition, increases mortality and results in decreased respiratory functionality amongst other complications. Additionally, Wilson et al theorised that a patient's diagnosis with CFRD may create the additional burden of negative perceptions by the patient as they may associate the diagnosis with impending deterioration of their health and death