Cystic Fibrosis: Life Expectancy

In the 1980s, few cystic fibrosis patients lived beyond their teens. In recent decades, new medications and improved treatment of respiratory infections and other complications have extended the predicted life expectancy of CF patients to almost 50 years, with some living well into their sixth and seventh decades.

Improving the survival rate for patients with cystic fibrosis means improving lung function and decreasing lung exacerbations.

In recent years, several new medications that interact directly with the faulty CFTR gene have been developed.

Learn more about cystic fibrosis research.