Cystic fibrosis, a paradigm for modern medicine
Tschopp, J.-M.
Revue Medicale Suisse 7(290): 802; 804-807
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 21595310 Document Number: 651394
Cystic fibrosis is the most frequent and severe genetic disorder in caucasian children. It is a multisystemic disease progressively involving many organs. Patients' survival was poor most of them dying as children. There has been now however an important improvement of prognosis. The median survival is 38 years today. Such a progress is related to comprehensive care based not only on scientific research but multidisciplinary clinical approach implying physicians and paramedics. Moreover pediatricians stimulated already in the 1960s patient autonomy by supporting national and international patients organisations. This approach has greatly contributed to increase the visibility of this disease and its support in our society. Cystic fibrosis is a paradigm for improving care of chronic diseases in medicine.