Cystic fibrosis occurs predominantly in populations of which descent?

Cystic fibrosis occurs predominantly in populations of which descent?

• A. Northern European
• B. East Asian
• C. African
• D. Native American

Answer: (A)

Cystic fibrosis is more common in people of Northern European ancestry because the CFTR mutations that cause the disease are most frequent in that population. Since it is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, a person develops CF only if they inherit two mutant copies. In Northern Europeans, the carrier frequency is relatively high (around 1 in 25), which raises the chance that two carriers will have an affected child. The most common CFTR mutation in this group is ΔF508, contributing to the higher observed incidence. In contrast, CFTR mutations are much less common in East Asian, African, and Native American populations, so the disease occurs far less frequently there.

Cystic fibrosis is more common in people of Northern European ancestry because the CFTR mutations that cause the disease are most frequent in that population. Since it is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, a person develops CF only if they inherit two mutant copies. In Northern Europeans, the carrier frequency is relatively high (around 1 in 25), which raises the chance that two carriers will have an affected child. The most common CFTR mutation in this group is ΔF508, contributing to the higher observed incidence. In contrast, CFTR mutations are much less common in East Asian, African, and Native American populations, so the disease occurs far less frequently there.