Exploring probiotic use in a regional cystic fibrosis consortium Dear Editor Studies in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have reported reduced rates of pulmonary exacerbation and hospitalization with probiotic use [1,2]. Furthermore, regular intake of probiotics has been associated with improvements in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, levels of inflammatory markers, and quality of life in this population [3]. However, little has been published about clinical use of probiotics in CF, and a recent review highlighted the need to better understand the appropriate role of these agents in long-term disease management [4]. Some patients take probiotics without supervision, and prescriptions of these formulations are not tracked in the United States Cystic Fibrosis Patient Registry (USCFPR). We therefore designed a survey to explore the rationale for patient probiotic use and to look for associations between reported intake of these products and patient characteristics, care patterns and health status within a regional consortium of CF centers in Northern New England. The study population comprised 575 adult and pediatric patients over 6 years of age at 4 CF centers (Dartmouth

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