The frequency of CF varies across Europe and in different ethnic groups.
It ranges from 0.7 per 100,000 in Slovakia to 50 per 100,000 in Ireland.
Adults versus children
Currently, 34% of European CF patients are adults, with the proportion rising as survival rates improve.
There are marked age-related changes in healthcare resource use for CF patients, as older patients generally require increased care and more expensive resources.
A newly diagnosed infant is likely to require treatment that costs approximately €3,000 per year, while treatment may cost more than €40,000 per year for an adult with advanced disease.
Time spent in hospital
Approximately 15% of CF patients have at least one non-routine hospitalisation per year, with a mean duration of 22 days.
Time off work
The number of lost work days for patients with CF varies according to the degree of disability.
In the UK, 50% of adults with CF are in paid employment and ~25% are students in full-time education.