OMG CFRD? Understanding CF-Related Diabetes

Managing cystic fibrosis is tough—but adding cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) to the mix? That’s next level. Not everyone with CF develops CFRD so why does it happen? And what are the emotional and mental tolls of a second diagnosis? Ahmet Uluer, MD, MPH, Lauren Harvey, and Andrea Gavin Becker ask the questions you want answers to.

On the inaugural episode of It's a Lung Story, Melissa Putnam, MD, an endocrinologist and expert in CFRD at Mass General Brigham in Boston, joins us to explore all things CFRD. Together, we dive into what makes CFRD different from other types of diabetes (and why it doesn’t get its own number like Type 1 or Type 2), the importance of screening (and how it can be improved), and the long-term risk factors that come into play now that people with CF are living longer.

Andrea and Lauren share their own experiences of living with CFRD. We also discuss the stellar math skills required to count carbs, the exciting potential of the bionic pancreas—and what it could mean for people with CFRD. Expect a few detours—because CFRD often refuses to follow a script!

RESOURCES

• North American CF Conference 2024 Plenary on CFRD:

https://www.youtube.com/live/d_jxpODEKw8

NACFC 2025 presentation by Dr. Ahmet Uluer and Dr. Karen von Berg: “A Breath of Fresh Age: Redefining Growing Older With Cystic Fibrosis”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHg8Pr0J8_o

The content presented in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.