Incidence of cystic fibrosis in the Albanian population.
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the Western world. Its incidence varies between 1:4,000 and 1:2,500 among Europeans. No data are available on the incidence of CF among Albanians, mainly due to difficulties of the local health system.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence of CF and the prevalence of healthy carrier status among Albanian ethnic people; to evaluate the incidence of hypertrypsinaemia at birth among Albanian newborns.


METHODS
We used the database of the newborn screening of Tuscany, Italy for the period 1991-2005. Children born to both Albanian parents in Tuscany were identified and incidences were calculated.


RESULTS
The incidence of CF among Albanians (1/555, 99% CI: 1/2,980-1/306) was significantly higher than the rest of the Tuscan population (1/4,101, 99% CI: 1/5,564-1/3,248). The prevalence of CF carrier status among Albanians living in Tuscany is estimated to be 1/12 (99%CI 1/27-1/9) while in the rest of the Tuscan population it is 1/32 (99%CI 1/37-1/28). The incidence of hypertrypsinaemia at birth among Albanian newborns (1/55 99%CI: 1/74-1/44) was significantly higher than in the rest of the population (1/84, 99%CI 1/88-1/82).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of CF among Albanians is considerably higher than expected. Albanian people have a risk to give birth to children with CF higher than the rest of Europeans. The implementation of a newborn screening program in Albania, together with a CF follow up program is highly advisable.
Festini
Filippo
F
Department of Paediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Taccetti
Giovanni
G
Cystic Fibrosis Center of Tuscany, Florence, Italy.
Repetto
Teresa
T
Cystic Fibrosis Center of Tuscany, Florence, Italy.
Mannini
Claudia
C
Department of Paediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Neri
Stella
S
Department of Paediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Bisogni
Sofia
S
Department of Paediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
de Martino
Maurizio
M
Department of Paediatrics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
D000415:Albania / Q000208:ethnology; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence