Which condition is commonly caused by changes in the mucus-secreting glands of the lungs leading to pulmonary dysfunction?

Which condition is commonly caused by changes in the mucus-secreting glands of the lungs leading to pulmonary dysfunction?

• A. Cystic fibrosis
• B. Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels
• C. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• D. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Answer: (A)

Changes in mucus-secreting glands producing thick, sticky mucus that plugs airways and leads to recurrent infections are a hallmark of cystic fibrosis. This condition arises from mutations in the CFTR gene that disrupt chloride transport, causing secretions to become abnormally viscous and drier airways to be less effectively cleared. The result is chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, airway obstruction, and progressive pulmonary dysfunction. The other conditions mentioned are cardiovascular in nature, involving plaques in the coronary arteries and acute events like myocardial infarction. They affect the heart rather than causing the mucus-gland–driven lung changes described here, so they don’t explain this pulmonary scenario.

Changes in mucus-secreting glands producing thick, sticky mucus that plugs airways and leads to recurrent infections are a hallmark of cystic fibrosis. This condition arises from mutations in the CFTR gene that disrupt chloride transport, causing secretions to become abnormally viscous and drier airways to be less effectively cleared. The result is chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, airway obstruction, and progressive pulmonary dysfunction.

The other conditions mentioned are cardiovascular in nature, involving plaques in the coronary arteries and acute events like myocardial infarction. They affect the heart rather than causing the mucus-gland–driven lung changes described here, so they don’t explain this pulmonary scenario.