Recent advances in cystic fibrosis

The median life expectancy for cystic fibrosis is now over 30 years, and it is projected that in newborn infants it will become more than 40 years. Th e identification of the cystic fibrosis gene and its product, cystic fibros is transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), has widened the spectrum of the disease from the classical case of the infant with cystic fibrosis to t he elderly childless man with unexplained bronchiectasis. There is increasi ng evidence of the advantages of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis and subsequent specialist care. Management concentrates on optimising nutrition al status and preventing lung infection and inflammation.