Life expectancy for cystic fibrosis patients increases

Cystic fibrosis (CF), previously often considered a childhood illness, has experienced a substantial rise in average life expectancy, now reaching 53 years. In the 1940s, children born with the condition had a life expectancy of less than one year. This advancement is attributed to modern pharmaceutical developments.

In untreated CF, thick mucus accumulates in the lungs, impairing respiratory function. Basic therapy includes physiotherapy and moist inhalations to liquefy mucus, along with pancreatic enzymes to supplement insufficient pancreatic function. Antibiotics are frequently used to manage recurrent infections.

Since 2012, the development of CFTR modulators has enabled disease-modifying treatments for cystic fibrosis. However, experts emphasize that lung tissue damaged by the disease cannot be regenerated, underscoring the critical need for early diagnosis and intervention in affected children.

Globally, approximately 160,000 individuals have cystic fibrosis, with an estimated 10 percent receiving adequate treatment. In Germany, around 8,000 people live with the condition.