Psychology of Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract or Introduction

Scientists define cystic fibrosis (CF) as an autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting lungs, but can also progress to intestine, pancreas and liver. Since the disorder mostly affects lungs, the affected patients have difficulties in breathing. The disorder affects more than 30,000 people in the United States. In 2011, 309 people suffered from cystic fibrosis in Western Australia. The median age of death for people suffering from CF was reported as 27 years. 60% of CF deaths are attributed to pulmonary complications. However, CF patients can live more than forty years with proper care and medication.

According to the Department of Health, Western Australia, more adult people suffered from CF compared to children in western Australian in the 2010. Scientists believe that CF is caused by many gene mutations for the protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Precisely, this protein is essential in regulating components of digestive fluids, mucus and sweat. Majority of health people have two copies of the CFTR gene while carriers have only one working copy. Evidently, people suffering from the CF have no working copy of CFTR gene. The disorder is associated with many gastrointestinal complications which, include biliary cirrhosis, intestine obstruction and bile duct proliferation.