#00041Evaluation of post-transfer clinical conditions of the cystic fibrosis(CF) patients transferred to the adult chest diseases

The increasing number of adult CF patients has made the issue an area of interest and responsibility for adult pulmonologists. Proper transfer of patients from pediatric chest diseases to adult chest diseases has critical importance in this process. This study aims to evaluate the follow-up data of the patients in the first 12 months after transfer.

CF patients previously transferred to adult chest disease clinics are included in the study. We retrospectively screened the data. We recorded the first visit in adult chest diseases as the last visit in the pediatric clinic and after 12 months as the control visit. 

The study included one 118 patients (men/women: 48/70). The transfer and current ages were 22.8 (± 6.0) and 27.6(± 6.5) years. Ten patients died after transfer. The mean duration after transfer to death was 4.7 (±1.8) years. There was a statistically significant reduction in Fev1(%)and Fev1/FVC ratio between pre-and-post spirometry (p<0.05, p<0,05). The total exacerbations (p<0.01), number of outpatient clinic visits (p<0.01), total antibiotic days (p<0.01), and iv antibiotic days (p:0.001) were statistically significantly increased compared to the 12 months before transfer. Although there was a decrease in BMI levels, it did not reach statistical significance.

The deterioration in both clinical and spirometry values in the first year after transfer demonstrates the importance of both the transfer issue. A “transition” period rather than “transfer” in which pediatrics and adult chest diseases physicians work together and the patient is included in the process will be more effective.