Expanding Adult Care for People with Cystic Fibrosis

Coverage from the 2009 North American CF Conference

October 26, 2009

During the 23rd annual North American CF Conference, health care professionals discussed the growing population of adults with CF. Today, because of advancements by the CF Foundation in treatment and care, more than 46 percent of all people with CF are age 18 or older.

In the past two decades, the Foundation has made key investments in adult care programs to meet the shifting needs of the adult population.

The increasing number of adults with CF brings new challenges for CF doctors and patients alike. Doctors who care for adults with CF must treat their CF symptoms, as well as other complications that may come with age.

For example, adults may be faced with diabetes associated with CF, osteoporosis and depression. In addition, reproductive issues become an important consideration.

“A big change we have seen in the CF community is the development of adult programs,” explained Patrick Flume, M.D., center director of the CF Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Today there are more than 90 programs that provide care for adults with cystic fibrosis.”

In 2008, the Foundation launched an initiative called the Program for Adult Care Excellence (PACE). The program aims to expand the scope of adult care by recruiting and training additional CF adult care providers.

Hear more from Dr. Patrick Flume