Cystic Fibrosis: Comprehensive Symptoms Across Organ Systems

Respiratory

• Chronic cough with thick mucus
• Wheezing, dyspnea
• Recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis
• Sinusitis, nasal polyps
• Progressive obstructive lung disease

Gastrointestinal

• Pancreatic insufficiency → malabsorption, steatorrhea, malnutrition
• Meconium ileus (newborns)
• Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS)
• Constipation, bloating, abdominal pain
• CF-related diabetes (CFRD)
• Liver disease (biliary cirrhosis)

Other Manifestations

• Fatigue, exercise intolerance
• Failure to thrive, delayed puberty
• Digital clubbing
• Male infertility (CBAVD)
• Osteoporosis, arthropathy
• Electrolyte imbalance (heat prostration risk)

Modern Outlook

CFTR modulators (e.g., elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) transform outcomes for eligible mutations. Multidisciplinary care extends median survival into 50s.