Cystic Fibrosis in Germany

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-shortening inherited diseases. In Germany about 8,000 people are affected and there are 300 babies born with cystic fibrosis each year. Even though there is still no cure for the disease, improvement in symptomatic therapy has enhanced life expectancy to around 35 years. Cystic fibrosis is caused by the mutation of a gene called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This gene defect results in the production of thick mucus in the internal organs causing inflammation, frequent lung infections and digestive problems. One in 20 people is a carrier of one impaired gene without knowing it and can therefore pass the impaired gene on to his or her children. If two carriers have a child, there is a probability of 1 in 4 that the child is affected by cystic fibrosis.

For more information about cystic fibrosis in English, please visit the websites of other cystic fibrosis organizations, e.g. the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the USA or the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the UK.

• http://www.cff.org
• http://www.cftrust.org.uk
• http://www.ecfsoc.org 

You can find expert advice on the webpage of ECORN-CF
http://ecorn-cf.eu/index.php?id=61&L=1&L=8