Current knowledge, key gaps, and opportunities for future research on high-impact, modifiable lifestyle behaviors to promote healthy aging in adults with cystic fibrosis in the era of modulator therapy.

Authors

Christina J Bathgate, Kristin A Riekert, David A Fedele, Robin S Everhart, Kimberly M Dickinson, Milene T Saavedra, Gabriela R Oates, Katherine A Russell, Rachel Cravens, Carla A Frederick

Published in

Journal of cystic fibrosis : official journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Nov 06, 2026. Epub Nov 06, 2026.

Abstract

Aging in cystic fibrosis (CF), once a hopeful possibility, is now a celebrated reality for many and attributable to expert multidisciplinary care, persistent research efforts, and fervent advocacy. The median age of survival of people with CF (PWCF) increased dramatically with the advent of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapies, particularly elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in 2019. However, as PWCF live longer, healthy aging is susceptible to the compound impact of residual CFTR dysfunction, chronic inflammation, emerging comorbidities, complexities of chronic disease management, and psychosocial burdens. We define healthy aging as maintaining physical and mental health in adults so they can remain autonomous and independent as long as possible, while also adapting lifestyle habits to support well-being and improve overall quality of life. Lifestyle factors, such as stress, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and treatment adherence, are known to impact health outcomes in the general population. Identifying, testing, and implementing behavioral interventions addressing these factors has the potential to augment medical advances in CF care. Although the aging population of PWCF is increasingly heterogeneous and shaped by unique individual ecosystems, lifestyle behaviors impact all patients and crosscut this diversity. As CF science continues to advance toward curative therapies, parallel CF-specific research advances on modifiable lifestyle behaviors may support healthier aging and improve health outcomes. This paper outlines the current state of knowledge, identifies critical gaps, and highlights key opportunities for future research targeting modifiable lifestyle behaviors to promote healthy aging, preserve functional independence, and improve quality of life in the growing population of adults with CF.

PMID:
42995032
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Nov 2026.

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