Perspectives in cystic fibrosis.

It would seem that early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and the institution 
of an aggressive treatment program before widespread irreversible lung damage has 
occurred may greatly prolong survival. Individual prediction at the time of 
diagnosis is impossible, but there are a number of factors which, 
when considered together, enable the clinician to place patients in a 
number of broadly defined risk groups. It is the definition and 
characteristics of these groups which would help the physician in assessment, 
counseling, and follow-up of patients with cystic fibrosis which are addressed 
in this article. The heterogeneity of cystic fibrosis, sex differences, presentation 
and age at diagnosis, pulmonary function, radiologic assessment, and projections for 
the future are discussed. 