MUHAMMET ALİ BEYOĞLU, MEHMET FURKAN ŞAHİN, SİNAN TÜRKKAN, ERDAL YEKELER
Southern Clinics of Istanbul Eurasia - 2022;33(3):225-230
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to analyze candidate listing and lung transplant outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients referred to a lung transplant center in Turkey. METHODS: Between January 2015 and July 2022, 27 patients were evaluated retrospectively in our lung transplant center for end-stage lung disease due to CF. The characteristics of the patients at the time of admission, their status on the list, survival, and lung transplantation results were recorded. Results: Of the total patients, 14 (51.9%) of the patients were females and 13 (48.1%) were males. The average age was 17.81±7.24 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 15.5±2.0 years. Six patients had cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (22.2%). Twenty-five patients (92.6%) were receiving supplemental oxygen. Low BMI was present in 23 (85.2%) patients, osteopenia in 8 patients (29.6%), and osteoporosis in 15 patients (55.6%). Four patients had liver fibrosis (14.8%). Twenty-five patients (92.6%) were added to the waiting list. Because of the early case and low BMI, one patient from each was omitted. The mean overall waiting time was 544.0±376.5 days. Nine patients (45%) on the waiting list died. Lung transplantation (4 bilateral pulmonary + 1 bilateral lobar) was performed on 5 patients (20%) on the waiting list. One of the lung recipients died in the early postoperative period. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Contrary to developed countries, patients referred to our lung transplant center due to CF consisted of pediatric and young adult patients. Patient referral should be planned considering the long waiting period and the shortage of donors in Turkey, and the need for time to manage modifiable comorbidities. Patients with CF should be referred early to the transplantation center to obtain the best benefit from lung transplantation.
