Cystic fibrosis and transition to adult healthcare

The transition from child-orientated to adult-orientated healthcare for patients with cystic fibrosis has become increasingly more important in recent decades as the life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis has continuously increased. The transition process usually begins during adolescence and is completed with the physical transfer of the young adult into adult medicine. Cystic fibrosis, historically considered to be a childhood disease, is increasingly becoming a disease of adulthood as patients grow older. In this context it is necessary to provide appropriate medical healthcare structures for this complex disease and to create capacities to relieve the burden of pediatric hospitals, which often maintain care for patients who are already adults. The age-related increase of medical complications places special challenges on the care of adult cystic fibrosis patients. This includes not only the detection and treatment of complications but also a medical care structure that is geared to provide adequate care for comorbidities associated with cystic fibrosis, such as diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis hepatopathy. A treatment team consisting of physicians, experienced cystic fibrosis nursing personnel, nutritional support, physiotherapy, psychology and social services must provide the continuing care in order to meet the demand for an all-encompassing treatment of the complex disease cystic fibrosis.