Asthma in Cystic Fibrosis: Definitions and Implications of This Overlap Syndrome

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem, autosomal recessive disease that leads to progressive loss of lung function. Respiratory symptoms for both CF and asthma include cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. There is debate within the CF community on how to best define and distinguish CF-asthma overlap syndrome (CFAOS) from asthma-like features, though CFAOS is well-recognized. We aim to review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma in CF and explore areas where further research is needed.

There has been considerable improvement in the understanding and treatment of asthma over the past two decades leading to novel therapies such as biologic agents that target the airway inflammation in asthmatics based on their asthma phenotype. These therapies are being studied in CFAOS and are promising treatments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the definition, epidemiology, diagnosis, and current treatment of CFAOS.