Adult care centers for patients with cystic fibrosis: prerequisites and practical organization

In the past 40 years there has been an increase in the median age of survival of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), attributed to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease. This progress was also doe to the level of care provided by pediatricians and now by adult physicians in CF care centers. They centralize and integrate knowledge and skills of pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology, nutrition, nursing, respiratory therapy, social work, and genetics to provide specialized care to patients with CF from childhood to adulthood. They are also expected to develop teaching and research, particularly the development of new life-extending therapies. The continuity of care of this multisystemic disease is best carried out through a close collaboration between the patient's primary care physician or pulmonologist and the specialized staff of the CF care center.