Background: Although modulator therapies have proven effective in cystic fibrosis (CF) access is limited due to reimbursement issues in Turkey. We aimed to examine anxiety and depression levels of people with CF (pwCF) and their caregivers according to their access to modulator treatment.Methods: Participants genetically eligible for elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) were divided into Group 1 (access via court decision, not yet on treatment) and Group 2 (unable to access due to reimbursement issues). Genetically ineligible participants formed Group 3. All pwCF and parents of those under 18 were screened for depression by the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and for anxiety by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7). Surveys for Group 1 patients were conducted just before starting ETI. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of independent variables on anxiety and depression in pwCF and their primary caregivers.Results: A total of 389 pwCF and 285 caregivers were included. Group 3 (ineligible) had the highest depression rate (72.9%, n = 35), while Group 1 (pre‐ETI) had the lowest (50.0%, n = 35). Median PHQ‐9 scores were significantly lower in Group 1 (p < 0.006). Anxiety rates were higher in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.003, respectively). Access to ETI reduced the odds of anxiety by 67.7% (p = 0.029). Caregiver GAD‐7 scores showed a weak negative correlation with pwCF age (r = −0.117).Conclusion: Limited access to modulator therapies is associated with higher depression and anxiety symptoms among pwCF. Addressing these barriers is critical to improving their well‐being.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a limited life expectancy, but significant medical advances now highlight the need for successful transition programs from pediatric to adult care. The goal of this project was to introduce the transition program CF R.I.S.E (Responsibility. Independence. Self‐care. Education.) to a CF center with limited resources at Marmara University (MU). Methods: The program was adapted and translated into Turkish with the CF Foundation's permission. A team of experts collaborated to develop educational materials for patients and families. After translation and implementation of the CF S.O.B.E program, 11 Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire (KQA) tests were administered online to the patients aged between 16 and 25 years to assess the lack of patient knowledge. Results: The CF R.I.S.E program was successfully implemented within 6 months. A pilot study showed positive feedback from randomly selected patients, indicating the program's effectiveness and understandability. The mean age of the patients was 19.4 ± 2.9 years, and 42 (52%) were female. The mean forced expiratory volume (FEV1pp) was 76.3 ± 23.2. Fourteen (17.3%) and 4 (4.9%) of the patients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), respectively. Fifteen (18.5%) were on modulator therapy. Eleven Knowledge Assessment Questionnaires (KAQ) surveys were administered to 81 patients. The percentage of correct responses to the KAQs ranged from 47.9% to 68.3%. Conclusion: MU CF Center in Turkey implemented the CF S.O.B.E (Responsibility, Self‐care, Independence, and Education in Turkish) program. The center aims to make the program a regular practice and expand collaboration with adult clinics. Future studies will assess its long‐term impact and applicability in different health settings. The final goal is to disseminate the program's resources and promote structured transition practices across the country.

Backgrounds: Genetic variants in CF transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) gene causes cystic fibrosis (CF), a prevalent autosomal recessive disorder. More than 2000 variants in CFTR have been described as disease causative. This study aims to delineate the genotypic and phenotypic landscape of CF among people with CF (pwCF) followed at the largest CF center in Turkey. Methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective analysis of 481 patients registered with the European CF Society Patient Registry and followed at Marmara University Selim Çöremen CF Center from 2015 onwards. Comprehensive CFTR analysis was utilized for genetic diagnosis. Besides the whole cohort, novel variants and complex alleles were also described. Results: Our cohort exhibited a broad spectrum of CFTR variants, with 136 different variants detected, indicating substantial genetic diversity. The F508del variant was less prevalent in our cohort compared to US and European averages, which could reflect unique genetic and demographic characteristics of the Turkish population. Additionally, we identified nine novel variants in 12 alleles, which enhances the understanding of CF's genetic complexity in this region, and complex alleles in 32 pwCF. Conclusion: Our research underscores the heterogeneity of CFTR variants in Turkey and highlights the necessity for extensive genetic profiling particularly for diverse populations to provide effective personalized treatment strategies. It is crucial to understand the full spectrum of CFTR variants with the advent of CFTR modulators.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by variants of CFTR gene. Over 2000 variants have been identified, and new drugs called CFTR modulators have been developed to target specific defects in the CFTR protein. However, these drugs are only suitable for patients with certain variants of CFTR , and eligibility rates vary depending on race and geographical region. This study aimed to reveal the detailed genotype and clinical characteristics of people with CF (pwCF) at our center in Turkey, a developing country, who are not eligible for CFTR modulators. Methods: A total of 445 pwCF followed up at Marmara University were reviewed retrospectively. Variants of the patients ineligible to CFTR modulators were classified based on American College of Medical Genetics guidelines, CFTR classification, the change in the encoded protein, and the variant type. Results: The study revealed that 139 (31.2%) patients weren't eligible for CFTR modulators. There were 60 different variants in the 276 alleles, as two were missing. The majority of patients had missense or nonsense variants, and that the most common variant was c.1545_1546del, which can be said unique to this geography. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of detecting the variants of ineligible patients in detail to guide future approaches for more targeted and effective interventions in CF care. Testing the effectiveness of CFTR modulators for rare or newly occurring variants is crucial to ensure equal access for pwCF to these therapies from different racial backgrounds and ethnic minorities.