Researchers have discovered that the severity of cystic fibrosis is influenced greatly by variations in genetics. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary condition that has claimed so many lives by affecting the lungs and digestive system.

Dr. Garry Cutting, a member of John Hopkins Hospital’s McKusick-Nathans Institute for Gentic Medicine, said in a news release by the hospital that the majority of people born with cystic fibrosis live up to their mid-30s. Some die before their 10th birthday, while several others live to see their 50th birthday. Dr. Cutting wants to know why some cystic fibrosis patients live longer than others.

The study that was published on Nature Genetics – an online publication – used DNA from a total of 3,467 cystic fibrosis patients. The pool includes unrelated patients from the Genetic Modifier Study in the University of North Carolina, related patients from the CF Twin and Sibling Study at John Hopkins, and the Canadian Consortium for Genetic Studies in the University of Toronto.

Cutting said that in order for them to get findings that will extend the life expectancy of cystic fibrosis patients, all proponents of the three studies must work hand-in-hand.

So far, their collaboration have led them to identifying a region, covered by two genes in chromosome 11, that is linked to severe cases of cystic fibrosis. Another region in chromosome 11 was also pinned down.

Cutting explained that they already know the gene that basically causes cystic fibrosis; what they discovered are genes that directly affect the severity of the condition. Hopefully, their findings will help in making unique treatments for individual patients.