Caucasians

Question

Does CF occur more commonly in Caucasians because they live in remote areas and just meet each other for social activities and procreation? And is this the reason for a higher chance of CF?

Answer

Dear questioner,
CF occurs all over the world but CF we indeed think it is more common in white people. The incidence is lower in African and in Asian people. It is not totally certain that the incidence in these areas is really lower or whether the disease is just not being diagnosed. On these continents there are many underdeveloped areas with a high mortality rate in newborns and young children. It is thus not impossible that CF children die there before the diagnosis of CF is made. But most likely the incidence is really lower in these populations.
Since CF is a genetic disease and not a transmittable disease, it can not be transferred from one person to the other by social contact. The reason, why a specific genetic disease is more frequent in one particular population is often the result of an evolutionary process, including advantages and disadvantages of carrying one or two copies of a certain gene, the possibilites of having the chance of reproduction of the carrier or patient, the seclusion of a certain population in which a genetic mutation is present and many other factors. Therefore, it is not possible to define "the reason" why Caucasians seem to have a higher incidence of CF than other populations.

K. De Boeck, H. Cuppens

17.02.2009