%0 Observational Study
%T Should atelectasis be considered a pulmonary complication and indicator of poor prognosis in cystic fibrosis?
%A Martínez Redondo M
%A Carpio Segura C
%A Zamarrón De Lucas E
%A Álvarez-Sala Walther R
%A Prados Sánchez C
%J J Int Med Res
%V 52
%N 3
%D 2024 Mar
%M 38546237
%F 1.573
%R 10.1177/03000605241233520
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study examined whether bronchoscopy leads to clinicoradiological improvement in cystic fibrosis (CF) and the predictive factors. The study also investigated whether pulmonary atelectasis is a poor prognostic factor in CF.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This multicenter, case-control, observational, retrospective study included two groups of patients with CF: a case group (patients with persistent atelectasis who were followed-up at least for 2 years) and a control group (patients without atelectasis matched 1:1 by sex and age [±3 years]). We recorded demographic data, lung function test results, pulmonary complications, comorbidities, treatments (including bronchoscopies, surgery and transplantation), and deaths.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Each group included 55 patients (case group: 20 men, mean age 25.4 ± 10.4 years; control group: 20 men, mean age 26.1 ± 11.4 years). Bronchoscopy did not lead to clinicoradiological improvement. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was more frequent in the case group. Patients in the case group more frequently used inhaled steroids, their pre-atelectasis lung function was statistically worse, and they had more exacerbations during follow-up.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Moderate-to-severe pulmonary disease and ABPA can favor atelectasis. Pulmonary atelectasis can be a poor prognostic factor in CF because it increases exacerbations. Despite our results, we recommend enhancing treatment, including bronchoscopy, to prevent persistent atelectasis.