Carrier State

The goal of this observational study is to determine whether an aquagenic wrinkling procedure (i.e., soaking hands in a water bath for up to 20 minutes) can be used as a screening tool for cystic fibrosis carrier status. Participants will complete one visit where they will undergo an aquagenic wrinkling procedure to see how their hands respond.

The goal of this observational study is to examine the effect of the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Carrier state on the risk for dehydration and other CF-specific fluid-and-electrolyte disorders in male and female adults. The primary aim of the study is to estimate the risk of electrolyte disorders attributable to the CF carrier state in a genotyped cohort. This will be accomplished with two smaller projects- Aim 1 and Aim 2. Aim 1 will consist of 100 CF Carriers and 100 age- and sex-matched controls. Participants in this aim will be asked to complete a Participant Info and Temperature Survey consisting of questions about race, ethnicity, medical history, and how they experience heat. Aim 2 will consist of a subset of 25 CF Carriers and 25 age- and sex-matched controls from Aim 1. Participants in this aim will be scheduled for a visit to complete a heat challenge. At this visit, they will also complete the Participant Info and Temperature Survey. They will also sit in a sauna at 62 - 63 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes.

The overarching hypothesis is that CF carriers are at increased risk for developing most of the extrapulmonary conditions associated with CF compared to the general population. Specifically, it is hypothesized that this pilot data will detect subclinical evidence of pancreatic and kidney disorders among CF carriers. This will be determined by bringing CF carriers and controls to the CRU for one visit where they will answer survey questions and undergo laboratory testing. Additionally, they will collect urine and stool samples at home that will be sent to outside laboratories for testing.

A research team member will brush the inferior surface of the subjects' middle turbinate (nasal cavity) using a cytology brush to obtain the cells needed to perform our functional respiratory assays. An individual trained in phlebotomy will draw one 3 ml lavender top tube of blood to test c-reactive protein, calprotectin, and lactoferrin. They will also draw a 5 ml gold top serum separator tube of blood to test fibroblast growth factor-19. The participant will answer questions from the baseline survey and report their current medications interview-style with the research team member.