mucoviscidosis, mucoviscoidosis, mucoviscoïdose, taaislijmziekte, and fibrosis cystica.
CF is a metabolic disease. It is a chronic, hereditary, and unfortunately incurable severe condition in which the mucus in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas is abnormally thick. This thick mucus impairs the function of various organs and damages them.
Life-Threatening
The course of the condition varies for each individual with CF. The severity of symptoms and life expectancy also differ among CF patients.
CF is the most common life-threatening rare disease in the Western world.
Worldwide, there are more than 70,000 people with cystic fibrosis, with over 30,000 residing in Europe
In the Netherlands, there are an estimated 1,600 CF patients. The average life expectancy for people with CF is only 45-50 years.
Viscous Mucus
The main locations where the viscous mucus is formed are the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and reproductive organs. In healthy individuals, mucus is relatively liquid, transparent, and thin. In CF, on the other hand, mucus is very thick and viscous, which is why it's called 'cystic fibrosis' or 'taaislijmziekte' in Dutch.
