Adult Cystic Fibrosis

More than ever before, people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living well into adulthood. UC San Diego Health provides specialized care and support services dedicated to improving the length and quality of life for adults with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Accreditation

We are one of the region's few Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care centers, which means we meet strict guidelines to receive the foundation’s “stamp of approval” every year.

Because CF is a complex disease that affects so many parts of the body, proper care requires specialized knowledge. Foundation-accredited care centers offer the best care, treatments, and support for those with CF.

Our Services

Our Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic treats approximately 200 adults with cystic fibrosis from San Diego County and surrounding areas. We are identifying and researching solutions to problems that are specific to adults with CF — both medical and quality-of-life issues.

Health and life issues important to our patients include:

Diabetes: As the rate of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes grows, we aim for identification of early-stage disease and provide state-of-the art treatment.
Osteoporosis: This is a common complication for adults with CF as a result of chronic malabsorption of Vitamin D, use of steroids, or endocrine-related problems.
Reproductive issues: We provide resources and referrals for contraception, fertility procedures (both male and female), and genetic counseling. We also work with the Teratogen Registry to identify high-risk medications and ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Mental health: Depression is common in persons who live with chronic illness, and life issues can be complex for adults with CF. Every effort is made to identify depression and counsel patients during the course of their treatment.
Quality of life: We monitor different types of treatments and their effects on patients.
Financial concerns: We provide assistance with medical insurance, disability options and advocacy for patients in the workplace.
Education: We provide patient education on a variety of issues, including intimacy in relationships, transplants, insurance, and durable power of attorney.

Lung Disease and Respiratory Care

Transitioning to Our Clinic

The transition process can be overwhelming for many cystic fibrosis patients, but we're here to help. The first step includes transfer of medical records from your prior institutions.

Please contact our office at 858-657-7073 to obtain a release form, and give the form to your medical records office to start the process.

Related Services

Cystic Fibrosis Research

We are interested in alternative strategies to determine the severity of CF pulmonary disease using MRI, and the function of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) using a novel sweat test.

We are actively involved in nationwide clinical trials of therapeutic agents, as well as several local investigations. These studies are ongoing, and we are always recruiting interested patients. To learn more about enrolling in a study, please call 858-657-7073.

Quinton Lab

The laboratory of Paul Quinton, PhD, continues to break new ground in understanding the function of CFTR and its role in the development of cystic fibrosis.

Dr. Quinton is pursuing several projects, including studies of animal modes, basic cellular physiology, and the human reproductive tract. For more information, see the Quinton Lab website .