Association of Coenzyme Q10 Status and Its Relationship with Respiratory Function and Demographic and Anthropometric Indices in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that can affect many organs, including the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Other side effects of this disease are impaired endocrine function and the development of diabetes, pancreatic insufficiency and malnutrition due to a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins, leading to a decrease in vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones. Coenzyme Q10 is also a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain responsible for the production and synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. Because of this role, its deficiency reduces the energy required for the activity of cells and organs. Complications of the deficiency include liver damage, muscle pain, memory loss, increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and cancer. In this study on 40 patients with cystic fibrosis admitted in pediatric ward of Dr. Masih Daneshvari Hospital, the relationship between Coenzyme Q10 with demographic and anthropometric indices was investigated. Pearson test showed that anthropometric indices like weight (r=-0.408, P value=0.02), age (r =-0.422, P-value=0.016), height (r=-0.520, P-value=0.002), birth weight (r=-0.286, P-value=0.0113) and birth height (r=-0.37, P-value=0.037) had significant and negative relation with the Coenzyme Q10. In the other words, with increasing of each of the above indices, the amount of Coenzyme Q10 decreased. But there was no relationship with other parameters such as arm circumference and number of family members. On the other hand, the mean Coenzyme Q10 was significantly higher in women than in men (P value=0.04). There was also a significant difference between the age groups <8 years and 9-16 years (P value=0.041). On the other hand, a significant difference between the educational groups was found. This difference was between university degree group with preschool/primary school degree groups (P- value<0.001).