Clinical Pediatrics: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Comparison of Homozygous for Delta F508 Mutation Nutritional Status, Lung Function Outcomes, Bacterial Growth, Antibiotic Treatments and Therapeutic Outcomes between the Amish and Non-Amish in a Single Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Centre: A Retrospective Case-Controlled Study

Rajeswary Padman Padmalingam, Denise Gilham, Tina Laturner, Alyaa Hussien, Ron Jones, Gordon Bokhart, Chelsea Hamilton, Abeer Omar and Rachel McCafferty

There exists evident differences in the health and the care received of the Amish people in comparison to the general population. Amish patients were 100% homozygous for delta F508 mutation versus 12% in the non-Amish population (P=0.057). The Amish community was prescribed dietary supplements at a rate of 89% versus 50% for non-Amish (P=0.087). BMI > 75th percentile was 51.25% in Amish patients and 61.25% in non-Amish patients (P=0.31). Mean FEV1 value was 83.6% versus 100% while mean FEF 25-75 value was 58% versus 86% for Amish and nonAmish people respectively. There was substantial variance in the number of episodes of the same infection per patient between Amish and non-Amish population (1 IQR 0–1 versus 0 IQR 0–1; p=0.012). The rate of antibiotic prescribing per patient in the Amish group was 7.9 perceptions versus 2.2 prescriptions. The study aims to create the best possible treatment and the highest quality of life for patients with cystic fibrosis. Our manuscript creates a paradigm for future studies on the delta F508 mutation, nutrition supplements, body mass index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow (FEF 25-75), airway microbial organisms and changes in antibiotic treatments in Amish compared to the non-Amish group, as well as developing a platform for an Amish community health program.

Published Date: 2019-02-26; Received Date: 2019-01-04