Coming of age in cystic fibrosis - transition from paediatric to adult care

Clin Med (Lond). 2013 Oct;13(5):482-6. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.13-5-482.

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common multi-system inherited disorder, with a UK population exceeding 9,000. There have been significant improvements in CF survival over the decades, attributed to improvements in therapies available, our understanding of the disease and better organisation of care. CF care providers have been early advocates for successful healthcare transition from the paediatric to adult sector and CF can be considered a model process where a paediatric disease has now become an adult one. This article looks at the transition process in CF and the future challenges CF physicians will face.

Keywords: CF survival; Cystic fibrosis; transition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis / epidemiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Survival Analysis
  • Transition to Adult Care*
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology