CYSTIC-FIBROSIS IN ASIANS

The clinical course of cystic fibrosis in nine Pakistani Asians was compared with 18 non-Asian age and sex matched controls. The Asian patients grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa at an earlier age (4.0 v 7.5 years), tended to have lower respiratory function test results (forced vital capacity 58.5 v 76.8% predicted; forced expiratory volume in one second 79.8 v 100.3% predicted), and had significantly greater concentrations of immunoglobulin IgG (13.4 v 10.1 g/1). They had a lower weight for age (78.4 v 95.7%) and weight for height (90 v 98.5%) despite similar intakes of dietary energy. Four of the nine Asians carried the deltaF508 mutation compared with 17 of 18 controls. All the Asian patients were born in the UK; seven of their mothers were born in Pakistan and had moderate or severe difficulties with the English language. It is concluded that Asian patients may have a more severe clinical course than matched controls and that genetic and environmental factors may be contributory.