274 Do childhood eating habits in cystic fibrosis influence future behaviour and outcomes

Background: Fat free mass (FFM) depletion is reported in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and is not detected by BMI. Objectives: To investigate the association between whole or regional body composition indices and hospitalization or pulmonary function in adult CF patients. Methods: A historical cohort study was carried out. Data of DXA scans performed between January 2007 and June 2012 in 85 adults with CF (44 males, mean age 23±4 years) were collected. Whole body, arm, leg and trunk FFM were divided by height squared to obtain FFM index (FFMI). The decline of FEV1 and the number and days of hospitalization per year was computed from time of DXA scan to end of follow-up. Results were adjusted for age, pancreatic function, diabetes and lung infections. Results: Median follow-up was 2 years (IQR: 1−2.5 years). Patients with low whole body or limbs FFMI had higher risk of spending more than 14 days per year in hospital compared to patients with normal FFMI (adjusted OR: whole body 3.91, 95%CI 1.05–14.52, P = 0.042; arm 3.55, 95%CI 1.11–11.31, P = 0.032; leg 3.87, 95%CI 1.19; 12.57, P = 0.024). Whole body, arm and leg FFMI positively correlated with FEV1 at time of DXA scan (r = 0.55, P< 0.0001; r = 0.40, P< 0.05 and r = 0.55, P< 0.0001). No association was observed between relative rate of FEV1 decline and body composition indices. Conclusions: In adult patients with CF, low whole body and limbs FFMI, derived from DXA body composition analysis, are associated with more time spent in hospital. The gender dependent relationship between whole body or limbs FFMI and pulmonary function, needs to be further investigated.