People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in making decisions about your care.
Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off-label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.
Be aware that cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed based on:
positive test results in people with no symptoms, for example infant screening (blood spot immunoreactive trypsin test) followed by sweat and gene tests for confirmation or
clinical manifestations, supported by sweat or gene test results for confirmation or
clinical manifestations alone, in the rare case of people with symptoms who have normal sweat or gene test results.
Assess for cystic fibrosis and, when clinically appropriate, perform a sweat test (for children and young people) or a cystic fibrosis gene test (for adults) in people with any of the following:
family history
congenital intestinal atresia
meconium ileus
symptoms and signs that suggest distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
faltering growth (in infants and young children)
undernutrition
recurrent and chronic pulmonary disease, such as:
recurrent lower respiratory tract infections
clinical or radiological evidence of lung disease (in particular bronchiectasis)
persistent chest X-ray changes
chronic wet or productive cough
chronic sinus disease
obstructive azoospermia (in young people and adults)
acute or chronic pancreatitis
malabsorption
rectal prolapse (in children)
pseudo-Bartter syndrome.
Refer people with suspected cystic fibrosis to a specialist cystic fibrosis centre if:
they have a positive or equivocal sweat test result
their assessment suggests they have cystic fibrosis but their test results are normal
gene testing reveals 1 or more cystic fibrosis mutations.
Provide people who are newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) with opportunities to discuss their concerns.
Information and support should be provided by healthcare professionals with expertise in cystic fibrosis.
Provide people with suspected or diagnosed cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) with relevant information that they can understand, and opportunities for discussion on topics such as:
their diagnosis
monitoring of their condition
management choices for their condition
possible or existing complications or comorbidities
implications for living independently.
Provide people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) with information about their care pathway.
Give information to people with cystic fibrosis and to family members or carers in ways that are individually appropriate. Avoid jargon and use formats that they prefer, for example:
face-to-face discussions
copies of correspondence
written information (such as leaflets)
any digital media and reliable internet sources that are available.
When appropriate, provide people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers with opportunities for discussion with relevant expert professionals on:
available resources and support, such as local support and advocacy services
managing the risks of cross-infection
implications of the condition for school and education
career planning
transition to adult care
foreign travel
fertility and contraception
pregnancy and parenting
organ transplantation
end of life care.
Provide people with cystic fibrosis with information about how to contact other people with cystic fibrosis without risking cross-infection (see preventing cross-infection), for example by directing them to online support groups.
For more information on communication, providing information and shared decision making in adult NHS services, see NICE guidelines on patient experience in adult NHS services and shared decision making.
Be aware that people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers will need emotional support and some may need specialist psychological support (see psychological assessment), in particular:
at diagnosis
at times of transition (for example, when starting or changing school, moving from education to work, or changing to living independently for the first time)
in relation to fertility, including family planning, pregnancy and infertility
to cope with complications of cystic fibrosis
when waiting for or having organ transplantation
when approaching the end of life.
Care for people with cystic fibrosis should be provided by a specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team based at a specialist cystic fibrosis centre (see multidisciplinary team).
Specialist cystic fibrosis centres should:
plan patient care (including outpatient and inpatient care), taking into account the risk of cross-infection (see preventing cross-infection)
maintain local and national registers of patients that include information about their clinical condition, treatment and outcomes
audit practice and outcomes.
When a shared-care model is used for children and young people, it should include:
formal arrangements between the local paediatric team at the shared-care centre and the multidisciplinary team at the specialist cystic fibrosis centre
direct involvement of specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team members
an annual assessment and at least one other review per year by the specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team, in addition to reviews by the local paediatric team (see annual and routine reviews).
If available and when clinically appropriate, outreach care for adults with cystic fibrosis may be provided by the specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team at a local hospital.
The specialist cystic fibrosis centre should have a point of contact available at all times (day or night) for urgent enquiries from people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate).
Consider telemedicine or home visits for routine monitoring when they are more appropriate than outpatient visits and if the person with cystic fibrosis prefers it.
Make arrangements (including providing equipment and expert support) for people to have intravenous antibiotic therapy at home, when this is appropriate.
The specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team should include at least one of each (depending on the size of the clinic) of the following professionals, who should have specialist expertise in the condition:
specialist paediatricians or adult physicians
specialist nurses
specialist physiotherapists
specialist dietitians
specialist pharmacists
specialist clinical psychologists.
The specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team should be led by a specialist paediatrician or adult physician.
The specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team should either include or have access to social workers.
Social workers should provide advice and support to people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate), for example on:
help with adjusting to long-term treatment (such as taking regular medicines)
education
employment
government benefits
respite care.
Specialist nurses (working with specialist paediatricians or physicians) should coordinate care and facilitate communication between other members of the cystic fibrosis team, and act as advocates for people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate). Key clinical roles could include:
support during and after diagnosis and when starting treatment
triage
advanced clinical assessment
coordinating home intravenous antibiotic services, including intravenous access.
Specialist physiotherapists should assess and advise people with cystic fibrosis at clinic, at inpatient admissions, during pulmonary exacerbations and at their annual review. Assessment and advice could cover airway clearance, nebuliser use, musculoskeletal disorders, exercise, physical activity and urinary incontinence.
Specialist dietitians should assess and advise people with cystic fibrosis about all aspects of nutrition at outpatient clinic visits, during inpatient admissions and at their annual review (see nutritional interventions).
Specialist pharmacists should advise people with cystic fibrosis on medicines optimisation at outpatient clinic visits, during inpatient admissions, on discharge from hospital and at annual review. They should advise healthcare professionals on all aspects of medicines use and prescribing, and support GPs, community pharmacists and homecare providers to ensure that people with cystic fibrosis get the medicines they need without interruption.
Specialist clinical psychologists should assess and advise people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) at outpatient clinic visits and (if needed) at other outpatient appointments, during inpatient admissions, and at their annual review (see psychological assessment).
The specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team should either include or have access to specialist expertise relevant to cystic fibrosis in the following areas:
microbiology
pulmonary physiology
diabetes
gastroenterology
hepatology
rheumatology
psychiatry
interventional radiology
surgery (gastrointestinal, thoracic, and ear, nose and throat)
obstetrics
palliative care.
The specialist cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team should work with GPs, and provide timely information so that GPs can support people with cystic fibrosis by:
prescribing cystic fibrosis medicines:
in batches of at least 1 month at a time for routine medicines
for longer periods if advised by the specialist team
following guidance on arrangements for prescriptions of unlicensed medicines
providing routine annual immunisation, including any alterations for people with cystic fibrosis and flu vaccinations for family members and carers
managing health problems not related to cystic fibrosis
certification of illnesses
working in partnership with cystic fibrosis homecare teams, particularly for end of life care
providing care for the person's family members or carers.
Begin discussing the transition process to adult services with young people with cystic fibrosis when they are 12 years old, and with their family members or carers (as appropriate).
All cystic fibrosis services should have a coordinated and documented pathway for transition from children's to adults' services that includes plans for managing all cystic-fibrosis-related aspects of care.
Ask people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) for feedback on the quality of the transition service, taking account of the section on planning and developing transition services in the NICE guideline on transition for young people using health or social care services.
For more guidance on managing transition from children's to adults' services, see the NICE guideline on transition for young people using health or social care services. In particular, see the sections on:
transition planning, for guidance on when transition should happen
overarching principles, for guidance on joint responsibility and working together with other organisations.
Be aware that people with cystic fibrosis are at risk of the following common complications:
being underweight
meconium ileus (affects 1 in 7 newborn babies)
fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies (including vitamins A, D, E and K)
distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
muscle pains and arthralgia
male infertility caused by obstructive azoospermia (almost all males with cystic fibrosis are infertile)
reduced female fertility
upper airway complications, including nasal polyps and sinusitis (prevalence increases with age)
chronic liver disease (the prevalence increases with age until early adulthood)
urinary stress incontinence
cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes (uncommon in children under 10 years, but the prevalence increases with age and it affects up to 1 in 2 adults)
reduced bone mineral density (including osteoporosis).
Be aware that people with cystic fibrosis are at risk of the following less common complications:
cystic-fibrosis-related arthritis
delayed puberty (associated with severe cystic fibrosis)
renal calculi (incidence increases with age and 1 in 20 adults are affected).
Be aware that:
the aim of cystic fibrosis care is to prevent or limit symptoms and complications of the condition
routine monitoring and annual assessments are crucial in providing effective care.
Offer people with cystic fibrosis a comprehensive annual review that includes the following:
a pulmonary assessment (see pulmonary monitoring)
an assessment of nutrition and intestinal absorption (see nutritional interventions and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency)
an assessment for liver disease (see liver disease)
testing for cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes, from 10 years of age (see cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes)
an assessment for other potential or existing cystic fibrosis complications (see complications of cystic fibrosis)
a psychological assessment (see psychological assessment)
assessments by a specialist nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist and social worker (see service delivery)
a review of their exercise programme (see exercise).
Provide regular routine reviews for people with cystic fibrosis, and do these more frequently immediately after diagnosis and in early life. For example:
weekly in their first month of life
every 4 weeks when they are between 1 and 12 months old
every 6 to 8 weeks when they are between 1 and 5 years old
every 8 to 12 weeks when they are over 5 years old
every 3 to 6 months as adults.
For people with cystic fibrosis who have clinical evidence of lung disease, base the frequency of routine reviews on their clinical condition but review children and young people at least every 8 weeks and adults at least every 3 months. If appropriate, think about using the review schedules in recommendation 1.5.3.
Include the following at each routine review, in relation to pulmonary assessment, for people with cystic fibrosis:
a clinical assessment, including a review of clinical history and medicines adherence, and a physical examination with measurement of weight and length or height
measurement of oxygen saturation
taking respiratory secretion samples for microbiological investigations, using sputum samples if possible, or a cough swab or nasal pharyngeal aspirate (NPA)
lung function testing with spirometry (including forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and forced expiratory flow [FEF] 25% to 75%) in adults, and in children and young people who can do this.
If spirometry is normal at a routine review, consider measuring lung clearance index.
Include the following at each annual review in relation to pulmonary assessment for people with cystic fibrosis:
a clinical assessment, including a review of the clinical history and medicines adherence, and a physical examination, with measurement of weight and length or height
a physiotherapy assessment
measurement of oxygen saturation
a chest X-ray
blood tests, including white cell count, aspergillus serology and serum IgE
taking respiratory secretion samples for microbiological investigations (including non-tuberculous mycobacteria)
lung function testing (for example with spirometry, including FEV1, FVC, and FEF 25% to 75%) in adults, and in children and young people who can do this.
Consider measuring lung clearance index at each annual review if spirometry is normal.
For people with cystic fibrosis with lung disease who have symptoms that are concerning them or their family members or carers (as appropriate), consider which of the following may be useful:
review of clinical history
physical examination, including measurement of weight and length or height
measurement of oxygen saturation
taking respiratory secretion samples for microbiological investigations, using sputum samples if possible, or a cough swab or NPA if not
for adults, blood tests to measure white cell count and inflammatory markers such as C‑reactive protein
lung function testing, for example with spirometry (including FEV1, FVC, and FEF 25% to 75%) in adults, and in children and young people who can do this
lung clearance index for people with normal spirometry results.
Depending on the assessments that are needed, decide whether to provide a remote telemedicine or face-to-face assessment.
Think about doing a low-dose chest CT scan for children with cystic fibrosis who have not had a chest CT scan before, to detect features that other tests (such as a plain chest X-ray) would miss (for example early bronchiectasis).
Think about doing a chest X-ray for people with cystic fibrosis during or after treatment for an exacerbation of lung disease (taking account of severity), if:
the exacerbation does not respond to treatment or
a chest X-ray before treatment showed new radiological abnormalities.
Monitor the treatment response during and after an exacerbation of lung disease by assessing whether the symptoms and signs have resolved, and as appropriate:
take respiratory secretion samples for microbiological investigations, using sputum samples if possible, or a cough swab or NPA if not
test lung function, for example with spirometry (including FEV1, FVC and FEF 25% to 75%) in adults, and in children and young people who can do this
measure oxygen saturation.
Be aware that some pulse oximeters can underestimate or overestimate oxygen saturation levels, especially if the saturation level is borderline. Overestimation has been reported in people with dark skin. See also the NHS England Patient Safety Alert on the risk of harm from inappropriate placement of pulse oximeter probes.
Think about using broncho-alveolar lavage to obtain airway samples for microbiological investigation in people with cystic fibrosis if:
they have lung disease that has not responded adequately to treatment and
the cause of the disease cannot be found with non-invasive upper airway respiratory secretion sampling (including sputum induction if appropriate).
Discuss the use of airway clearance techniques with people with cystic fibrosis who do not have clinical evidence of lung disease and their parents or carers (as appropriate). Provide them with training in airway clearance techniques and explain when to use them.
Offer training in airway clearance techniques to people with cystic fibrosis who have clinical evidence of lung disease and their parents or carers (as appropriate).
When choosing an airway clearance technique for people with cystic fibrosis:
assess their ability to clear mucus from their lungs, and offer an individualised plan to optimise this
take account of their preferences and (if appropriate) those of their parents and carers
take account of any factors that may influence adherence.
Regularly assess the effectiveness of airway clearance techniques, and modify the technique or use a different one if needed.
Do not offer high-frequency chest wall oscillation as an airway clearance technique for people with cystic fibrosis except in exceptional clinical circumstances. The specialist cystic fibrosis team will decide whether these circumstances apply, and their decision would then be subject to the NHS England policy on Individual Funding Requests. Be aware that the evidence shows high-frequency chest wall oscillation is not as effective as other airway clearance techniques.
Consider using non-invasive ventilation in people with cystic fibrosis who have moderate or severe lung disease and cannot clear their lungs using standard airway clearance techniques.
Offer a mucoactive agent to people with cystic fibrosis who have clinical evidence of lung disease.
Offer rhDNase (dornase alfa; recombinant human deoxyribonuclease) as the first choice of mucoactive agent.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use for children under 5. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
If clinical evaluation or lung function testing indicates an inadequate response to rhDNase, consider both rhDNase and hypertonic sodium chloride or hypertonic sodium chloride alone.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use for children under 5. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Consider mannitol dry powder for inhalation for children and young people who cannot use rhDNase and hypertonic sodium chloride because of ineligibility, intolerance or inadequate response.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use of mannitol dry powder for under 18s. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Mannitol dry powder for inhalation is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for some adults who cannot use rhDNase because of ineligibility, intolerance or inadequate response. For full details, see the guidance on mannitol dry powder for inhalation for treating cystic fibrosis (TA266, 2012).
Ivacaftor–tezacaftor–elexacaftor (IVA–TEZ–ELX) plus ivacaftor (IVA) alone is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for treating cystic fibrosis in some people 2 years and over. For full details, see the guidance on IVA–TEZ–ELX (TA988, 2024).
Tezacaftor–ivacaftor (TEZ–IVA) plus IVA alone is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for treating cystic fibrosis in some people 6 years and over. For full details, see the guidance on TEZ–IVA (TA988, 2024).
Lumacaftor–ivacaftor (LUM–IVA) is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for treating cystic fibrosis in some people 1 year and over. For full details, see the guidance on LUM-IVA (TA988, 2024).
Offer flucloxacillin as antibiotic prophylaxis against respiratory Staphylococcus aureus infection for children with cystic fibrosis from the point of diagnosis up to age 3, and consider continuing up to 6 years of age. Before starting flucloxacillin, discuss the uncertainties and possible adverse effects with their parents or carers (as appropriate). For children who are allergic to penicillins, consider an alternative oral anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
For children who are taking antibiotic prophylaxis and have a respiratory sample culture that is positive for Staphylococcus aureus:
review prophylaxis adherence and help the child's parents or carers (as appropriate) with any difficulties they are having
start treatment-dose anti-Staphylococcus aureus antibiotics
restart prophylaxis after treatment, even if treatment has not been successful.
For people who are not taking prophylaxis and have a new Staphylococcus aureus infection (that is, previous respiratory sample cultures did not show Staphylococcus aureus infection):
if they are clinically well, consider an oral anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent
if they are clinically unwell and have pulmonary disease, consider oral or intravenous (depending on infection severity) broad-spectrum antibiotics that include an anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent.
Consider a long-term antibiotic to suppress chronic methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) respiratory infection in people whose pulmonary disease is stable.
For people with chronic MSSA respiratory infection who become clinically unwell with pulmonary disease, consider oral or intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics (depending on infection severity) that include an anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent.
For people with new evidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) respiratory infection (with or without pulmonary exacerbation), seek specialist microbiological advice on treatment.
Do not routinely use antibiotics to suppress chronic MRSA in people with stable pulmonary disease.
If a person with cystic fibrosis and chronic MRSA respiratory infection becomes unwell with a pulmonary exacerbation or shows a decline in pulmonary function, seek specialist microbiological advice.
For guidance on preventing the spread of infection, refer to the NICE guideline on healthcare-associated infections.
If a person with cystic fibrosis develops a new Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (that is, recent respiratory secretion sample cultures showed no infection):
if they are clinically well:
start eradication therapy with a course of oral or intravenous antibiotics, together with an inhaled antibiotic
follow this with an extended course of oral and inhaled antibiotics
if they are clinically unwell:
start eradication therapy with a course of intravenous antibiotics together with an inhaled antibiotic
follow this with an extended course of oral and inhaled antibiotics.
If eradication treatment is not successful despite treatment as recommended in 1.6.34, offer sustained treatment with an inhaled antibiotic. Consider nebulised colistimethate sodium as first-line treatment. (See recommendation 1.6.38 on using colistimethate dry powder for inhalation [DPI] if nebulised colistimethate is not tolerated.)
Depending on infection severity, use either an oral antibiotic or a combination of 2 intravenous antibiotics of different classes for people:
who have chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (when treatment has not eradicated the infection) and
who become clinically unwell with a pulmonary disease exacerbation.
If a person with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection repeatedly becomes clinically unwell with pulmonary disease exacerbations, consider changing the antibiotic regimens used to treat exacerbations.
Colistimethate sodium DPI is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for treating chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people with cystic fibrosis only if they would clinically benefit from continued colistimethate sodium but do not tolerate it in its nebulised form, and thus tobramycin therapy would otherwise be considered. For full details, see the guidance on colistimethate sodium DPI (TA276, 2013).
For people with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection whose condition is clinically deteriorating despite regular inhaled colistimethate sodium, consider nebulised aztreonam, nebulised tobramycin, or tobramycin DPI (see recommendation 1.6.40 on using tobramycin DPI).
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use of all the drugs listed for children under 6. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Tobramycin DPI is recommended as an option in NICE's technology appraisal guidance for treating chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in people with cystic fibrosis only if nebulised tobramycin is considered an appropriate treatment, that is, when colistimethate sodium is contraindicated, is not tolerated or has not produced an adequate clinical response. For full details, see the guidance on tobramycin DPI (TA276, 2013).
For people with cystic fibrosis who develop a new Burkholderia cepacia complex infection (that is, recent respiratory sample cultures showed no Burkholderia cepacia infection):
whether they are clinically well or not, give antibiotic eradication therapy using a combination of intravenous antibiotics
seek specialist microbiological advice on the choice of antibiotics to use.
Be aware that there is no evidence to support using antibiotics to suppress chronic Burkholderia cepacia complex infection in people with cystic fibrosis who have stable pulmonary status. Discuss the possible risks (for example drug toxicity) of treating the infection with the person and their family members or carers (as appropriate).
For people with cystic fibrosis who have chronic Burkholderia cepacia complex infection (when treatment has not eradicated the infection) and who become clinically unwell with a pulmonary disease exacerbation:
give a combination of oral or intravenous antibiotics
seek specialist microbiological advice on which antibiotics to use.
For people with cystic fibrosis who have chronic Burkholderia cepacia complex infection and declining pulmonary status:
consider sustained treatment with an inhaled antibiotic to suppress the infection
seek specialist microbiological advice on which antibiotic to use
stop this treatment if there is no observed benefit.
For people with cystic fibrosis who develop a Haemophilus influenzae infection (diagnosed by a positive respiratory sample culture) but do not have clinical evidence of pulmonary infection, treat with an appropriate oral antibiotic.
For people with cystic fibrosis who develop a Haemophilus influenzae infection (diagnosed by a positive respiratory sample culture) and are unwell with clinical evidence of pulmonary infection, treat with an appropriate antibiotic, given orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the illness.
For people with cystic fibrosis who are clinically well but whose airway secretions are persistently positive for non-tuberculous mycobacteria, discuss with them and their family members or carers (as appropriate):
the clinical uncertainties about non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection and
the possible benefits and risks (for example, drug toxicity) of treating it.
If a person with cystic fibrosis has a respiratory sample test positive for new non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection, repeat the test for confirmation.
If repeat testing confirms persistent non-tuberculous mycobacteria, do a chest CT scan to look for changes consistent with non-tuberculous mycobacteria disease.
Consider non-tuberculous mycobacterial therapy aimed at eradication for people with cystic fibrosis:
whose airway secretions persistently test positive for non-tuberculous mycobacteria and
who are clinically unwell with pulmonary disease, or who have a chest CT scan showing changes consistent with non-tuberculous mycobacteria disease and
whose pulmonary disease has not responded to other recommended treatments.
Seek specialist microbiological advice on which antibiotics to use and on the duration of treatment.
Do not routinely use antifungal agents to suppress chronic Aspergillus fumigatus complex respiratory infection (diagnosed by persistently positive respiratory secretion sample cultures) in people with cystic fibrosis and stable pulmonary status.
For people with cystic fibrosis with chronic Aspergillus fumigatus complex respiratory infection and declining pulmonary status:
consider sustained treatment with an antifungal agent to suppress the infection
seek specialist microbiological advice on which antifungal agent to use
stop treatment or change to a different agent if there is no benefit.
For people with cystic fibrosis with elevated aspergillus serology (aspergillus-specific IgG and/or IgE) and declining pulmonary function despite optimised pulmonary treatment, think about treating for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or other aspergillus airway disease, especially if there are consistent chest X-ray or CT scan changes.
For people with cystic fibrosis who have a pulmonary disease exacerbation and no clear cause (based on recent respiratory secretion sample cultures):
use an oral or intravenous (depending on the exacerbation severity) broad-spectrum antibiotic
continue collecting respiratory secretion samples, and change treatments if a pathogen is identified and a more appropriate treatment is available.
For people with cystic fibrosis and deteriorating lung function or repeated pulmonary exacerbations, offer long-term treatment with azithromycin at an immunomodulatory dose.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
For people who have continued deterioration in lung function, or continuing pulmonary exacerbations while receiving long-term treatment with azithromycin, stop azithromycin and consider oral corticosteroids.
Do not offer inhaled corticosteroids as an immunomodulatory treatment for cystic fibrosis.
In September 2024, supplies of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy were disrupted, so availability varies. Use the Specialist Pharmacy Service's prescribing and ordering available pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies resource and tool to help identify equivalent licensed products.
The cystic fibrosis specialist dietitian should offer advice on the benefits of optimal nutrition, and at the annual assessment review the person's:
total nutritional intake, including energy intake (calories)
estimated nutritional needs
pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, if appropriate.
Encourage people to increase calorie intake by increasing portion size and eating high-energy foods if there is concern about their nutrition (including weight loss and inadequate weight gain).
If increased portion size and high-energy foods are not effective, consider a trial of oral nutritional supplements.
If attempts to increase calorie intake are not effective, consider:
supplementation with enteral tube feeding or
for adults, a short-term trial of an appetite stimulant (for example up to 3 months).
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Test for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in people with cystic fibrosis, using a non-invasive technique such as stool elastase estimation. If the test result is normal, repeat it if symptoms or signs suggesting malabsorption occur.
Offer oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Adjust the dose as needed to minimise any symptoms or signs of malabsorption.
Consider an acid suppression agent (for example an H2 receptor antagonist or a proton pump inhibitor) for people who have persistent symptoms or signs of malabsorption despite optimal pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Be aware that a variety of conditions can cause acute abdominal pain and resemble distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in people with cystic fibrosis, for example:
constipation
appendicitis
intussusception
cholecystitis.
Suspect distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in people with cystic fibrosis who have an acute onset of peri-umbilical or right lower quadrant abdominal pain and any of the following:
a palpable mass in the right lower quadrant
faecal loading in the right lower quadrant on a plain abdominal X-ray, especially if associated with small intestine air-fluid levels
clinical features of partial or complete intestinal obstruction, such as vomiting (especially bilious) and abdominal distension.
For people who have an acute onset of peri-umbilical abdominal pain but no other clinical or radiological features of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, consider further imaging, for example with an:
abdominal ultrasound scan or
abdominal CT scan.
Manage suspected distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in a specialist cystic fibrosis centre, with supervision from specialists who have expertise in recognising and treating the condition and its complications.
Offer oral or intravenous fluids to ensure adequate hydration (and rehydration if needed) for people with distal intestinal obstruction syndrome.
Consider diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium solution (Gastrografin) (orally or via an enteral tube) as first-line treatment for distal intestinal obstruction syndrome.
If diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium solution (Gastrografin) is not effective, consider an iso-osmotic polyethylene glycol and electrolyte (PEG) solution (macrogols) (orally or via an enteral tube) as a second-line treatment.
Consider surgery as a last resort, if prolonged treatment with a PEG solution is not effective.
To reduce the risk of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome recurring:
encourage people to drink plenty of fluids
optimise pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (see nutritional interventions and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency)
consider advising regular treatment with a stool-softening agent such as lactulose or a PEG solution.
In September 2024, supplies of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy were disrupted, so availability varies. Use the Specialist Pharmacy Service's prescribing and ordering available pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies resource and tool to help identify equivalent licensed products.
Perform a clinical assessment and liver function blood tests at the annual review for people with cystic fibrosis.
If liver function blood tests are abnormal, perform a liver ultrasound scan and consider ursodeoxycholic acid treatment.
October 2017: note that this was an off-label use for adults. See NICE's information on prescribing medicines.
Think about stopping ursodeoxycholic acid if liver function blood tests return to normal and clinical assessment and liver ultrasound scan show no liver disease.
If ursodeoxycholic acid is stopped, monitor for re-emergence of liver disease using clinical assessment and liver function blood tests.
Think about referring people with cystic fibrosis to a liver specialist if the liver function blood test results are persistently abnormal despite treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid.
Refer people with cystic fibrosis to a liver specialist if they have any of the following:
chronic progressive liver disease, based on clinical assessment, liver function blood tests or the findings on a liver ultrasound scan
liver failure, based on clinical assessment and liver function tests
portal hypertension, haematemesis, splenomegaly or findings on a liver ultrasound scan.
Consider dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density scans for people with cystic fibrosis who have factors that put them at high risk of low bone mineral density, such as:
frequent or long-term oral corticosteroid use
frequent intravenous antibiotic use
severe lung disease
undernutrition
previous low-impact fractures
previous transplants
post menopause.
Seek specialist advice for people with a bone mineral density standard deviation below -2.0 (Z score) or -2.5 (T score).
Advise people with cystic fibrosis and their family members or carers (as appropriate) that regular exercise improves both lung function and overall fitness.
Offer people with cystic fibrosis an individualised exercise programme, taking into account their capability and preferences.
Regularly review exercise programmes to monitor the person's progress and ensure that the programme continues to be appropriate for their needs.
Provide people with cystic fibrosis who are having inpatient care with:
an assessment of their exercise capacity
the facilities and support to continue their exercise programme (as appropriate), taking into account the need to prevent cross-infection (see preventing cross-infection) and local infection control guidelines.
At the annual review, the specialist clinical psychologist should include assessments of:
general mental health and wellbeing
quality of life
any factors that are making treatment adherence difficult
indicators of emerging psychosocial problems
behaviours that affect health outcomes.
If a severe mental health condition is identified at any assessment performed by the cystic fibrosis clinical psychologist, refer the person with cystic fibrosis to a mental health practitioner. For guidance on treating mental health conditions, refer to the relevant NICE guideline.
For family members or carers of people with cystic fibrosis, the specialist clinical psychologist should:
assess any cystic-fibrosis-related needs they have
support their psychological wellbeing
refer them to mental health practitioners as needed.
For recommendations on preventing and controlling infection, see the NICE guidelines on infection control in primary and community care and healthcare-associated infections, and the NICE quality standard on infection prevention and control.
To prevent cross-infection among people with cystic fibrosis in outpatient and inpatient care, use microbiological surveillance and a local infection control strategy that includes cohorting.
Inform people with cystic fibrosis, their family members or carers (as appropriate) and staff involved in their care about the risk of cross-infection and how to avoid it.
Each specialist cystic fibrosis clinic should be organised to prevent cross-infection. Separate people individually during the clinic, including by organising:
the use of communal areas
attendance at diagnostic, treatment and pharmacy facilities.
Keep people with transmissible or chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkholderia cepacia complex infection separate from people who do not have these infections, for example by using separate outpatient clinics.
Consider keeping people with cystic fibrosis who have intermittent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa separate from people who do not have this infection, for example by using separate outpatient clinics. Help people with cystic fibrosis plan their inpatient attendance to avoid contact with each other, for example when they use:
hospital restaurants, schools and recreation areas
diagnostic, treatment and pharmacy facilities (see information and support).
During inpatient care, give people with cystic fibrosis individual rooms with en-suite facilities.
A dose of a medicine that is less than the minimum inhibitory dose.
A model of care in which the specialist multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis team provide outpatient clinics in local hospitals.
The sudden or recent worsening of clinical symptoms or signs. This is frequently caused by an acute pulmonary infection.
In people with cystic fibrosis, this can be diagnosed based on symptoms or signs, or by identifying pathogens in respiratory secretion samples.
Providing clinical services remotely, using phone and video messaging to communicate with the patient.
Aged 12 to 17 years.