Cystic fibrosis--a review of 26 adolescent and adult patients.

Twenty-six patients, mean age 20.5 years (range 11-33 years) at last assessment or death, attended an adult cystic fibrosis clinic between 1975 and 1983. Twenty-one presented in infancy, and 5 later (3-17 years). Most morbidity was due to recurrent respiratory infection and 5 of the 7 deaths were from respiratory failure. Cor pulmonale occurred in 4 patients, pneumothorax in 3 and severe haemoptysis necessitating lobectomy in 2. Declining spirometric values and persistent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum samples were associated with a poor prognosis. Minor gastrointestinal symptoms were common (19 patients). Four patients developed intestinal obstruction. Six patients had abnormal liver function tests and one patient died from hepatic cirrhosis. Diabetes was diagnosed in 3 patients and 9 patients experienced joint pains. The prognosis and quality of life for patients with cystic fibrosis appear to be improving, and all but 2 of the patients attending the clinic are at school, university or are employed.