Purpose of review: This review will outline the screening, diagnosis and management of cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD). It will also discuss advances in the detection of early glucose abnormalities, their clinical significance and the emerging role for early insulin therapy.
Recent findings: Before the onset of diabetes (as currently defined), patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) display glucose abnormalities, detectable either by 30-minutely sampled oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), or by continuous ambulatory interstitial glucose monitoring (CGM). These early glucose abnormalities are associated with the presence of glucose in airway fluid, potentially promoting the growth of airway pathogens and contributing to the progression of respiratory disease. Progressive insulin deficiency underlies these glucose abnormalities, and insulin deficiency also causes catabolism. Pilot studies of once-daily insulin therapy in the early stages of insulin deficiency show improved lung function and weight gain (important predictors of survival in CF).
Summary: Early stages of insulin deficiency may be contributing to catabolism and deteriorating lung function in CF. It is plausible that early insulin therapy may prevent this deterioration, a view supported by pilot studies. Randomized controlled trials of early insulin therapy will now determine whether insulin therapy should be commenced earlier than current practice in CF.