A new survey has revealed the massive impact cystic fibrosis (CF) can have on people's quality of life.

According to the findings, 57% of adults said that the condition has impacted on their day-to-day activities, 47% said it has impacted on their family life and 42% said it has affected their relationships.

CF is Ireland's most common life-threatening inherited disease. Around one in 19 people are carriers of the CF gene and when two carriers have a child there is a one in four chance their child will be born with it. There are around 1,200 people in Ireland with CF and this country has the highest prevalence and the most severe types of CF in the world.

The condition affects the glands, damaging many organs including the lungs, pancreas, digestive tract and reproductive system, impacting breathing, digestion and reproduction. It causes thick sticky mucus to be produced, blocking the bronchial tubes and preventing the body's natural enzymes from digesting food.

The survey findings were released to coincide with Cystic Fibrosis National Awareness Week, which runs from April 11-17. It revealed that most adults with CF have to spend at least one hour a day completing their treatment, with 39% spending at least three hours per day.

Almost one in three adults with CF are unemployed or are unable to work because of their condition, while 58% admit that CF has a negative impact on their finances, due to a reduced ability to get a job and the expenses involved with regular hospital visits.

The survey also noted that 89% of adults with CF have experienced an exacerbation of their condition over the last 12 months. However, according to Philip Watt, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI), Orkambi - a new CF drug currently being assessed by the HSE in Ireland - has been shown to reduce exacerbations and hospitalisations by up to 40% in those eligible to take it.

Around half of people with CF are eligible to take this drug.

"The potential of a drug such as Orkambi also means less time spent on day-to-day CF management and more time for people with CF to get on with the rest of their lives, living independently, taking up careers, enjoying family and relationships, and so on.

"It has the potential to benefit some 450 people with CF in Ireland while in time, if it is extended to those under 12 years of age, as many as 600 people will be able to benefit," Mr Watt explained.

He acknowledged that there is an additional treatment cost in the short-term, but insisted that there would be savings in the long-term due to reduced hospitalisations and people with CF being able to contribute more to society.

"We would urge both Government and the provider to agree a way forward on this as a priority. Just last January, we handed a petition signed by over 40,000 people to Heath Minister, Leo Varadkar, supporting access to this drug. We would urge Government to hear our call and enable people with CF to live their lives to the full," he said.

As part of Cystic Fibrosis National Awareness Week, CFI will hold its annual fundraiser, 65 Roses Day, on Friday, April 15. All money raised will be spent on much-needed services, such as new healthcare facilities and support grants for transplant assessments.

For more information on the event and how you can donate, click here