New Cystic Fibrosis Educational Resource for Healthcare Professionals Launches on epgonline.org

Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, February 12, 2016 --(PR.com)-- A new online medical education resource has launched this week on epgonline.org, the website for healthcare professionals. The Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Centre has been developed to provide accurate information on current best practice approaches and national guidelines to support healthcare professionals in their treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition caused by a defect in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. In people with CF, the protein does not work effectively, resulting in thick, sticky secretions at epithelial membranes.1 Cystic fibrosis can have multi-organ involvement, with a range of complications and comorbidities reported. Individuals with cystic fibrosis are primarily of European descent, although the disease has been reported in all races and ethnicities.2 The mean prevalence of the condition was reported as 0.737 per 10,000 in the EU and 0.797 per 10,000 in the USA.3

The Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Centre is available to access in full and at no cost to registered users of epgonline.org: http://www.epgonline.org/cystic-fibrosis-knowledge-centre/. Users can expect to find sections containing disease awareness information, emerging and established treatment options and current best practice based on recently updated international guidelines. A resources section contains external links to upcoming medical conferences and patient support groups, CME activities, podcasts and downloadable materials.

Dr Toby Galbraith, Director of Content Strategy for epgonline.org, said: “Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening illness with a wide range of debilitating comorbidities. The intention of this resource is to provide healthcare professionals with the latest background knowledge and best practice guidance, as well as providing information on the available and emerging treatments, to ensure that patient care is of the highest standard.” The Cystic Fibrosis Knowledge Centre has been developed by EPG Health Media for epgonline.org, supported by an independent educational grant from Vertex.

Notes to Editors:

· EPG Health Media (Europe) Ltd publishes www.epgonline.org, an independent website dedicated to providing healthcare professionals worldwide with free access to a comprehensive range of disease and medicines information. Categorised by medical specialty, content within epgonline.org includes a multi-language database of approved medications, treatment guidelines, clinical trial information, journal abstracts, latest medical industry news, apps and a blog written by members.
· Vertex was founded in 1989 by Joshua Boger, Ph.D., in Cambridge, MA with the intention of embracing challenge and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine. Vertex focuses on discovering and developing new medicines for some of the world’s most devastating diseases with a commitment to improving the lives of people with serious diseases. In particular, they are the first and only company to have multiple medicines in development to target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis.

References:

1. Boucher RC. Cystic Fibrosis. In: Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL et al., editors. Harrison's Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005. p. 1-9.
2. Cutting GR. (2015). Cystic fibrosis genetics: from molecular understanding to clinical application. Nat Rev Genet 16:45‐56.
3. Farrell PM. The prevalence of cystic fibrosis in the European Union. J Cyst Fibros. 2008;7(5):450-3.