Cystic fibrosis in adolescents and young adults.

With the early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and the better management of 
these patients in childhood increasing numbers are surviving to adult life. 
The main problem requiring continuous medical care in the older cystic 
fibrosis patient is persisting and often progressive chest disease. For this 
reason the cystic fibrosis clinic for adolescents and young adults was 
started in the Western Infirmary in 1975. This paper presents our 
observations on 13 patients who had attended between 1975 and 1977. 
Eleven patients are alive and well and have shown no evidence 
of deterioration over this period. Ten are at school or in 
regular employment. With optimum medical supervision it is possible to give 
young adults with cystic fibrosis a worthwhile existence. 