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Cystic fibrosis in Caucasian populations
- Question
- A question is nagging me. Why does cystic fibrosis affect mainly Caucasian populations? Indeed the rate of people affected by the disease is far more important for Caucasians than, for example, Africans. Thank you in advance.
- Answer
- Cystic fibrosis is actually much more common in white Caucasian populations.
These frequency differences are explained by the fact that CF is a genetic disease, due to the presence of two mutations in the CFTR gene (one from the father and one from the mother). Indeed, the mutations in the CFTR gene are much more frequent in populations of European origin, where it is assumed that one in 25 is a healthy carrier of a cystic fibrosis mutation. Thus, in these populations, the mean incidence is 1/2 500 newborns. In fact, the incidence ranges from 1/1 700 to 1/8 000 according to the ethnic group.
However, cystic fibrosis is present among African Americans (about 1/15 000 births), but was also found in African populations without Caucasian heritage. It is much rarer in Asians (approximately 1/90 000 births). In some countries, it is probably masked by other health problems.
Dr Dominique Hubert
- 05.12.2011
- 5.12.11
Please find more about this topic under the following link:
ecorn-cf.eu/index.php?id=65&L=0&tx_expertadvice_pi1[showitem]=409&tx_expertadvice_pi1[search]=Caucasian
The Q/Q is named "Caucasians"
D. d'Alquen
