Cystic Fibrosis: New Test To Measure The Severity

Source: Mayo Clinic

Cystic Fibrosis is a Chronic illness that is passed on from the parents to the kids, via a genetic mutation of the CFTR gene. This gene dysfunction severely affects patients’ respiratory organs, digestive tract, and reproductive ability.

Pancreatic Fibrosis appears in an individual who receives 2 faulty genes from their mom and dad.

This may be from previous generations or the gene mutation caused by the carrier of the defective CFTR gene.

This gene is responsible for transmembrane conductance which allows the passage of ions in and out of the cell to maintain a balance.

Due to its dysfunction, it fails to regulate the bodily fluids, mucus membranes, and digestive and pancreatic juices causing thick sticky clogs, imbalance in electrolytes (kidney function), and swelling of internal organs.

Management of Cystic fibrosis

There is no cure for Pancreatic fibrosis, however, it can effectively be managed by healthcare professionals and caregivers. There are several clinical and physical tests to assess the extent of infection such as lung function by a spirometer, the sweat test quantifies the chloride concentration in sweat that signifies the activity of the CFTR gene.

New Test to measure the Severity of Cystic Fibrosis - Asiana Times — ***Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis Image source: Stiff.co.NZ***

New Test for quantifying cystic fibrosis

A team of Researchers at Aarhus University and their hospital center has come up with a new analytical tool through the urine test to determine the severity of the disease and the curative power of the medicine.

The excretion of bicarbonate molecules in urine indicates the functionality of the CFTR gene in driving the electrolyte movement in the body, which in turn exhibits the variation in the intensity of the disease and the improvement scope of the medicine based on the urine output composition.

Drugs to treat Cystic Fibrosis

A new drug Kaftrio was authorized in 2020 to treat CF patients in Danish. This drug targets the disease-causing mechanism, thus showing significant results in the patients.

In a study of 50 CF patients was evaluated before and after the treatment by Kaftrio, in which 70% exhibited improved excretion of base (bicarbonate) in the urine of the control group thus resulting in increased life expectancy and quality of life in CF patients.

These new findings on evaluating tests and discovery of drugs defined on the defective mechanism help Cystic Fibrosis patients to lead an everyday life with advantageous treatment methods.