Chest CT abnormalities and quality of life: relationship in adult cystic fibrosis

Background: To evaluate the relationship between lung parenchymal abnormalities on chest CT and health-related quality of life in adult cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: The chest CT scans of 101 consecutive CF adults (mean age 27.8±7.9, 64 males) were prospectively scored by two blinded radiologists in consensus using a modified Bhalla score. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the revised Quittner Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire (CFQ-R). Multiple regressions were performed with each of the CFQ-R domains and all clinical and imaging findings to assess independent correlations. Results: There were 18 inpatients and 83 outpatients. For the cohort of inpatients, CT abnormalities were significantly (P Conclusions: Chest CT abnormalities are significantly associated with quality of life measures in adult CF, independent of clinical or spirometric measurements.