Cystic fibrosis. An expanding challenge for internal medicine.

The number of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving care from the 
US Cystic Fibrosis Centers has been increasing at an average rate 
of about 200 patients each year. A model based on the 
continuation of this rate of increase predicts that almost 4,000 adults 
will be receiving care at the centers by the end of 
1985. Four other models developed are based on continuation of a 
steady state with two variations: a 50% reduction in mortality and 
universal newborn screening. These models show the boundaries of an equilibrium 
population to be between 24,000 and 64,000 patients, with 7,000 to 
18,000 adults. 