Recommendations for the classification of diseases as CFTR-related disorders
C Bombieri1, M Claustres, K De Boeck
1Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Insights
Consensus guidelines define cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-related disorders (CFTR-RDs) as conditions with CFTR dysfunction not meeting full cystic fibrosis criteria. These guidelines aid in diagnosing CFTR-RDs like CBAVD and pancreatitis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has related diseases, but a clear definition is missing.
- Expert consensus is needed to define CFTR-related disorders (CFTR-RDs).
Framework:
- Proposed definition: CFTR-RD is a clinical entity with CFTR dysfunction, not meeting CF diagnostic criteria.
- Guidelines developed through expert discussion and workshops.
Implementation:
- Discusses diagnostic utility of sweat testing, mutation analysis, nasal potential difference, and intestinal current measurement.
- Presents algorithms using genetic and functional tests for CF vs. CFTR-RD differentiation.
Implications:
- Identifies congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD), pancreatitis, and bronchiectasis with CFTR dysfunction as CFTR-RDs.
- Aims to standardize diagnosis and management of CFTR-RDs.
Abstract:
Several diseases have been clinically or genetically related to cystic fibrosis (CF), but a consensus definition is lacking. Here, we present a proposal for consensus guidelines on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-related disorders (CFTR-RDs), reached after expert discussion and two dedicated workshops. A CFTR-RD may be defined as "a clinical entity associated with CFTR dysfunction that does not fulfil diagnostic criteria for CF". The utility of sweat testing, mutation analysis, nasal potential difference, and/or intestinal current measurement for the differential diagnosis of CF and CFTR-RD is discussed. Algorithms which use genetic and functional diagnostic tests to distinguish CF and CFTR-RDs are presented. According to present knowledge, congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD), acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis and disseminated bronchiectasis, all with CFTR dysfunction, are CFTR-RDs.
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