Cystic fibrosis is best defined as a chronic, hereditary progressive disease involving which systems?

• A. A chronic, hereditary progressive disease involving the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems with viscous secretions in multiple organs
• B. An acute bacterial infection of the lungs only
• C. An autoimmune disease affecting joints
• D. A congenital heart defect that affects circulation

Answer: (A)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky exocrine secretions, leading to a chronic, progressive disease that most notably involves the respiratory and digestive systems. The thick mucus plugs airways, driving ongoing infections and lung damage, while also causing pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and malabsorption in the GI tract, with potential involvement of other organs that rely on mucus-secretions. This combination of being hereditary, progressive, and affecting multiple organ systems best matches the description of a chronic disease with viscous secretions in several organs. The other options describe acute infection, autoimmune disease, or a heart defect, which do not capture the genetic, multi-organ, mucus-related nature of CF.