[Digestive expression (pancreatic and intestinal) of cystic fibrosis: an approach based on physiopathology]

Digestive abnormalities contribute significantly to the morbidity in cystic fibrosis as well as to the mortality, through their relations with the pulmonary part of the disease. Physiopathological consequences of the CFTR misfunction at different levels of the digestive tract (biliary and pancreatic secretions, digestion-absorption mechanisms) are not well understood. Even if pancreatic insufficiency is the most evident and critical problem, it is not the only one. That is the reason why pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy does not resolve all the digestive symptoms. Research is needed for a better understanding of digestive abnormalities in cystic fibrosis and their treatment.