Are people with cystic fibrosis eating too much salt?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are people with cystic fibrosis, treated with modulator medicines ingesting too much salt, putting them at increased risk of cardiovascular complications?
IRAS ID
331581
Contact name
Harriet Gledhill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life limited genetic conditions, which is the result of the defective Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, disturbing the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the mucus, leading to increased sodium losses in the sweat.
In the standard of care for cystic fibrosis, there is a lack of evidence to determine what constitutes the correct sodium supplementation and currently the focus is on avoiding symptoms related to sodium depletion.
However with the recent introduction of the new CFTR modulator medication, there is an improvement in the function of the sodium chloride channels. This is along side a now ageing cystic fibrosis population that is experiencing more co-mobility’s, some of which have important modifiable factor, such as hypertension.
This retrospective cohort research will aim to address the hypothesis that: People with Cystic Fibrosis treated with modulator medicines are excreting too much sodium, which leads to the hypothesis that they are ingesting too much sodium and increasing their risk of hypertension and its complications, a situation which can be remediated by dietary intervention.The aim of this research study is to identify:
• What proportion of people with cystic fibrosis have an excessive sodium excretion, after starting on a CFTR modulator?It is anticipated that these results will inform a further study, to ensure that the risk of excessive sodium intakes are addressed, thereby reducing the possible risk of hypertension and its associated complications.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
25/WA/0209
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion