What is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have cystic fibrosis (CF)?

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have cystic fibrosis (CF)?

There is no cure for CF and it cannot be prevented. However, new treatment methods help children who have CF live well into adulthood and have a better quality of life.

Therapies are most helpful when CF is diagnosed early, which is why newborn screening is so important. These therapies include treating infections, trying to prevent weight loss and seeing a CF specialist frequently. The addition of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy at a young age seems to be very beneficial and may improve long-term health.

According to information from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, more than half of people born with CF between 2015 and 2019 are expected to live to age 46 or longer.

People with atypical cystic fibrosis tend to have longer life expectancies than those with classic CF.