10 Jahre Der Pneumologe

There are currently about 8,000 individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) living in Germany. This disease is the most common fatal congenital metabolic disorder in the Caucasian population. The first causal therapy is now available for CF patients with the G551D mutation. Rapidly developing diagnostic and therapeutic options have led to a significant increase in life expectancy and more than half of CF patients are older than 18 years. Nevertheless, in 2010, 42.8% of adult CF patients were still being treated in pediatric institutions. This requires a prompt development of adequate models of care as well as of transitional structures, both of which still constitute a problem. The transition process with the goal of professional adult care is insufficiently defined; therefore, models allowing a successful transition with sustainable professional care and a positive effect on the long-term course of the disease and the prognosis are being developed. Several transition models have been tested in Germany. A uniform, comprehensive model is unlikely to be applicable for all institutions, whereas structural developments considering local conditions and supported by participating stakeholders on both sides (pediatrics and internal medicine) are realistic. Two different transitional models tested locally are described.