Cystic Fibrosis
By: Autumn Brenner, Julia Morgan, Hannah
Hoorn, Alivia Stender, Giang Nguyen
All About Cystic Fibrosis
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
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Genetic Disease
Progressive Disease (worse over time)
Mutation occur in transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene
❏ Protein is not able to move chloride to surface of the cell
❏ Without Chloride to magnetize water attraction, organs in the body
become sticky & thick due to mucus leading to different complications
Affected Patients see problems in…
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Lungs
Pancreas
Liver
Aspects/Symptoms Of The Disease
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Persistent cough
Salty-Tasting Skin
Constant lung infections
Wheezing/shortness of breath
Poor growth
Hard to gain weight
Enlargement of Finger Tips & Toes
Male infertility
Diagnosis
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Multi Step-Process
❏ Newborn screenings
❏ Sweat Test
❏ Genetic Carrier Test
❏ Clinical Evaluation
Treatment
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Airway Clearance- Loosen and expel mucus in
lungs
Inhaled Medications- Mist antibiotics to inhale
for lungs
Pancreatic Enzyme Supplement- improve
absorption of nutrients
Fitness Plan- Improve overall health & wellbeing
CFTR Modulators- Target underlying defective
protein
Works Cited
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (2025). About Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis
Biological Factors
Symptoms:
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Inherited genetic disease
○ Can be a carrier (1 inherited
copy of a mutated CFTR gene),
or have CF (2 copies)
CFTR genes control CFTR protein
production
○ Affects shape, size, quantity of
proteins
○ Mutated = faulty gene →
stickier mucus and sweat
(Causes, 2024), (What is cystic fibrosis?, 2025)
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Cysts/scarring in pancreas
Mucus blocking airways, intestines
More susceptible to infections
Lung-related issues (breathing,
coughing, wheezing)
Long term effects/conditions:
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Diabetes (pancreas damage)
Malnutrition (lack of pancreatic
digestive aids)
Osteoporosis (malabsorption)
Psychological Factors
For those with cystic fibrosis, anxiety and depression are two of the most
common psychological factors
● Depression is correlated with lower treatment adherence and lower quality
of life
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Patients with depression are 3 times as likely to be non compliant with medical
treatment advice
● Anxiety and depression not only impact those with cystic fibrosis, but also
their family members as well
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Parents with children who have cystic fibrosis are more likely to have depression
than those without
(Grosse, 2021) (Guta et al., 2021)
Psychological Factors
Depression and anxiety in individuals with cystic fibrosis can impacts
their quality of life, physical function, and healthcare utilization
Individuals with chronic illnesses
such as cystic fibrosis have a
41% increased risk of
psychological disorders
(Grosse, 2021) (Guta et al., 2021)
High rates of depression and
anxiety have been found in those
with cystic fibrosis, ranging from
13-33% and 30-33% in adults
Social Factors
Social Isolation
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Infection-control rules prevent people with CF from
meeting each other in person
Frequent treatments and hospital visits take away time
for social activities
Can lead to loneliness and less support from peers
Stigma & Public Reactions
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Chronic coughing or breathing treatments could cause
unwanted attention
Fear of being judged can cause embarrassment or
withdrawal
Impacts confidence and willingness to participate in
social settings
Financial & Socioeconomic Stress
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High cost of medications, equipment, and hospital care
Families with less resources have less opportunity for
consistent treatment
Transportation, insurance, and housing stability all
influence health outcomes
Mental Health Impact
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Higher rates of anxiety and depression due to chronic
stress
Emotional strain from lifelong illness and uncertainty
Mental health challenges can affect treatment
motivation
Limited Peer Connection
Daily Treatment Burden
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Many dedicated hours of airway clearance,
medications, and enzyme management
Harder to balance school, work, sports, and friendships
(Lyra Health, n.d.) (Khan et al., 2023)
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Cannot safely gather with others who have CF
Relies heavily on online communities for support
Reduces opportunities for shared lived-experience
bonding
News & Advancements
Major Advancements in Cystic Fibrosis
1. CFTR Modulator Therapy
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Trikafta treats the underlying
genetic defect
Helps the faulty CFTR protein
open and function properly
Results:
↑ Lung function ↓ Lung infections
& hospitalizations ↑ Quality of life
2. Gene Therapy & Gene Editing
(Future Cure)
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Focus: fixing or replacing the
mutated CFTR gene
Uses tools like CRISPR
Researchers are testing
inhaled gene delivery directly
to lung cells
Goal:
A one-time treatment instead
of lifelong medication
3. mRNA-Based Therapy
(Emerging Innovation)
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Being developed by
companies like Moderna
Sends instructions to cells
to produce normal
CFTR protein Especially
important for patients who
don’t respond to Trikafta
How it works:
Delivers instructions for cells
to make normal CFTR protein
News & Advancements
Impact & Current News
Impacts
Current News & Challenges
1. Increased Life Expectancy
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Cystic Fibrosis used to
be fatal in childhood
Today: many patients
live into their 40s–
50s+
2. Personalized Medicine
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CF has many different gene mutations
Treatment is tailored based on genetic testing
Not all patients benefit from the same drugs
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Expansion of Trikafta to younger children
(as young as 2)
Ongoing clinical trials for gene therapy
High cost of treatment (can exceed
$300,000/year)
Access inequality across countries
Supported by organizations like Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation
Resources For Cystic Fibrosis
How CF Affects The Lungs & Body
Living With Cystic Fibrosis-Documentaries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omkp2VJTE3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yELVmRJjVw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXuz0bF20t8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfqtOTwUcKE
Research & CF Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzTDunZHexw
Websites
https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsmx3_W49cc
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/symptomscauses/syc-20353700
Organizations
https://www.cff.org/
https://www.cfri.org/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9358-cystic-fibrosis
https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/population-health/what-doctorswish-patients-knew-about-cystic-fibrosis
Works Cited
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (2025). About Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, November 15). Causes. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cystic-fibrosis/causes
What is cystic fibrosis?. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, June 2). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9358-cystic-fibrosis
Khan, A. U., Khan, S., Ullah, S., & Rauf, A. (2023). Cystic fibrosis: A review of pathophysiology and current treatment options.
Cureus, 15(1), e33367. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9826285/
Lyra Health. (n.d.). Breaking barriers: How to champion women’s mental health in the workplace. Link to where I got picture from slide
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Guta, M. T., Tekalign, T., Awoke, N., Fite, R. O., Dendir, G., & Lenjebo, T. L. (2021). Global Burden of Anxiety and Depression among
Cystic Fibrosis Patient: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of chronic diseases, 2021, 6708865.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6708865
Grosse, V. (2021, May). Psychological considerations of pediatric cystic fibrosis. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.
https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/psychological-considerations-of-pediatric-cysticfibrosis/#:~:text=CF%20can%20also%20impact%20children’s%20psychological%20health%2C,lives%20*%20Prognosis%20and%20lo
Script Link
Cystic Fibrosis Script