Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Pancreatic Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Pancreatic endocrine function was studied in 50 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 15 healthy controls by measuring glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon and gastro-inhibitory polypeptide responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Biochemical and clinical parameters were also measured, including glycosylated hemoglobin A1, serum immunoreactive trypsin, fasting urinalysis, pulmonary function, percentage body fat and 3-day dietary records. According to National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria, 6 CF patients had impaired glucose tolerance (ICF), with elevated serum glucose concentrations and reduced and delayed insulin secretion compared with control (CON) subjects, although none were overtly diabetic. Although the remaining 44 CF patients (NCF) did not meet NDDG criteria for impaired glucose tolerance, mean area under the concentration curve (AUC) for glucose was greater than control values and AUC for insulin diminished. HbA1 levels in the 2 CF groups were greater than that of controls subjects, but there was little difference between ICF and NCF groups. C-peptide levels paralleled those of insulin for the 3 groups throughout OGTT. There was little difference in GIP secretion between groups, and the enteroinsular axis was intact in the control and NCF groups and slightly increased in the ICF group. Basal glucagon concentrations and AUC for glucagon during OGTT were similar for the 3 groups, but glucose-induced glucagon suppressibility i.e., basal to nadir change in each subject, was reduced in the ICF group. Serum IRT concentration was significantly lower in the ICF and NCF groups compared to control subjects, and was lowest in the ICF group. A strong correlation was observed in the ICF group between FEF25-75 and AUC for insulin, as well as HbA1 level and AUC for glucose. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in 50 CF patients was 12%. Despite extensive comparisons of biochemical and clinical parameters with endocrine function in this population, we were unable to define reliable criteria for predicting glucose intolerance.