Cystic fibrosis related diabetes: potential pitfalls in the transition from paediatric to adult care

Abstract

One of the major complications of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is CF-Related Diabetes (CFRD), which increases in incidence with age, from 1-2% below the age of 10 years to ∼20% of adolescents and 40-50% of adults. Multiple guidelines have been published over the last few years for the diagnosis and management of CFRD, from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) / US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand-Australian Diabetes Society. However, little is published about the particular issues involved in transition of patients with CFRD from paediatric to adult care, nor the issues concerning the development of CFRD during the transition period. This document seeks to provide assistance to physicians, dieticians, nurses, diabetes educators, CF patients and their families by outlining the issues surrounding CFRD during transition from paediatric to adult care.

Keywords: Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes Mellitus [CFRDM]; Cystic fibrosis; Transition.