Circadian Rhythm Disorders in Children With Cystic Fibrosis Under CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) Modulators

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a condition that affects many parts of the body, and while new medicines have greatly improved the lives of people with CF, it can still have a big impact on their daily lives. We know that many children with CF can have trouble sleeping, not just because of breathing issues, but also problems like difficulty falling or staying asleep. Every person has a natural body clock that makes them feel more energetic at certain times of the day – some are early birds, others are night owls. This is called a 'chronotype'. We don't fully understand if CF affects this natural body clock.

Recently, very effective new medicines called CFTR modulators, such as Kaftrio-Kalydeco, have been developed for CF. These medicines have made a huge difference to lung health. However, some children and adults taking them have reported changes in their sleep patterns or daily rhythms, sometimes feeling more tired or awake at different times than before. This study wants to specifically look at whether these new CF treatments change children's chronotypes. We think that children taking these medicines might tend to go to sleep later than usual.

Understanding how these medicines affect sleep and daily rhythms is really important because sleep problems can impact a child's energy levels, how well they learn at school, their immune system, and their general health. If we can identify these changes early, doctors might be able to suggest small adjustments, like changing when a child takes their medicine, to help manage these effects and improve their overall quality of life.