THE EPIC OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the most important bacteria in CF lung disease. Chronic Pa infection is associated with worse disease and earlier death in CF patients. Risk factors for early age at Pa acquisition, the impact of initial Pa infection on clinical outcomes, and the effect of various early antibiotic treatment regimens remain incompletely understood. A large, multi- enter, observational study will be conducted with two broad goals. First, the study will link to and enhance the Early Anti-Pseudomonal Therapy In Cystic Fibrosis (EPIC) trial by collecting pre-enrollment characteristics and post-trial follow-up on EPIC trial participants, and by providing a comparator group that receives "usual therapy" for first Pa isolation. Second, the risk factors for and clinical impact of initial Pa infection will be examined, and the association of type and length of treatment at initial infection with outcomes. This is an important study as there are no large multi-center studies in patients with CF which have evaluated 1) risk factors for and clinical outcomes of first Pa infection, and 2) the clinical and bacterial outcomes of early anti-Pa therapy. Such information is needed to identify high-risk characteristics for early Pa acquisition and treatments most beneficial to young patients with CF.