Rationale: Association between arterial stiffness and mortality is higher in females. We aimed to investigate relationship between exercise capacity, inflammation, hemodynamic and macrovascular function in CF according to genders.

Methods: 60 children with CF (age=13.5±2.4 years, FEV₁=94.9±17.1%) were included. Pulmonary function test was performed. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was measured. Peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak) was measured on a cycle ergometer exercise test. Heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), augmentation index (Alx), Alx@75, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and total vascular resistance (TVR) were determined (oscillometric device).

Results: VO_2peak, SV, CO, Cl, and PWV were significantly lower and HR, Alx@75, Alx, and TVR were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in CRP between girls and boys (p>0.05, Table).

Conclusion: Gender-differences starts at early age in CF regarding exercise capacity, hemodynamic and macrovascular function. VO_2peak was lower in girls than boys with CF. Gender differences in arterial stiffness have the potential to identify new gender-specific therapies to reduce CVD risk, the leading cause of mortality in both genders. 

Financial Support: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) supported this study (Project Number: 221S353).