(306) Understanding body image perceptions and Trikafta use in adolescents and young adults living with cystic fibrosis

Background: People with CF often experience significant stress associated with eating, weight, and body image as a result of high caloric needs, difficulty maintaining adequate weight, and the pressure of weight maintenance to prevent poor outcomes and infection. Additionally, cultural and societal ideals promoting thinness and/or muscularity place adolescents with CF (AwCF)at an even greater risk. No existing research has examined the extent of body image distortions, along with adherence concerns, in AwCF since the approval and initiation of Trikafta. This study investigates the perspectives of AwCF who have been prescribed Trikafta and how body image concerns may relate to Trikafta adherence.

Methods: Eligible patients at a large pediatric CF Center are asked to complete a series of questionnaires assessing 1) body image concerns (collected via the Body Esteem Scale and Figure Rating Scale), 2) adherence to Trikafta, 3) perceptions and emotions about taking Trikafta, and 4) perceptions about changes in weight or body image since starting Trikafta. Data from the medical record includes: BMI, frequency of hospitalizations and pulmonary exacerbations, FEV1, CFRD or type 1 diabetes diagnosis and relevant demographic information (e.g., race/ethnicity, zip code, insurance).

Results: Eligible patients are 140 pediatric AwCF who have been prescribed Trikafta for at least 6 months. Eligible patients range in age from 12.05 to 29.17 with a mean age of 16.26 years (SD = 2.97). Approximately 55.7% (n= 78) of patients are male. A majority of eligible patients identify as White (92.1%, n = 129); 1.4% (n= 2) identify as Black; 1.4% (n=2) identify as “more than one race;” 2.9% (n=4) identify as “unknown” and 2.1% (n=3) identify as “other.” Regarding medical outcomes, patient BMI % ranged from < 1 to 99%, with a mean BMI % of 54% (SD = 26.39). Eligible patients’ mean FEV1% predicted ranged from 58% to 142%, with a mean of 99.95% (SD=15.93). Finally, 30% (n=42) of eligible patients have an impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) diagnosis; 19.3% (n=27) have a diagnosis of CF-related diabetes (CFRD), and 2.1% (n=3) of patients have a diabetes mellitus type-1 diagnosis.

Conclusions: This research will help to better describe body image concerns within the AwCF population since the approval of Trikafta and how these concerns relate to adherence to Trikafta. No studies have examined these specific concerns, and results of this research will help to identify specific areas for intervention.

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