[Cystic fibrosis in adults]

The authors reviewed adult cystic fibrosis patients followed in the Pulmonology Unit from 1994-2004 (n=8), five female and three male, aged 20-34 years old (median= 27 years). Patients were diagnosed at 18 months - 31 years old by sweat testing (positive in six patients) and genotyping (four patients homozygous for Delta F508 mutation). Respiratory involvement was characterised by sinusitis and bronchiectasis. Pulmonary involvement was accompanied by functional abnormalities and gas exchange impairment in the majority of the patients. Bronchial tree was colonised permanently in five patients: Pseudomonas aeruginosa in four and Staphilococcus aureus in four (three patients affected by both agents simultaneously). The main causes of exacerbation were respiratory infections and haemoptysis. Non-respiratory involvement was variable. Four patients had digestive involvement (one with hepatic cirrhosis), one had renal failure and only one had a sperm count to document infertility. Four patients had osteopaenia. Treatment included chest physiotherapy, bronchodilators, dornase alfa, mucolytics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, antibiotics and oxygen therapy. At review, one had left follow-up, one had died, one was awaiting lung transplant and the others evidenced no difference in clinical characteristics. In this group of patients the severity of the pulmonary disease was not related to a late diagnosis. It can be explained by the diversity of cystic fibrosis presentation in adults.