Recent Trends in the Incidence of Cystic Fibrosis in Paraguay: Analysis of the Period 2018-2023

Abstract A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted, evaluating data from newborn (NB) samples sent to the PNDN between January 2018 and December 2023. Samples taken by heel prick on Whatman 903 filter paper and analyzed by fluorometric immunoassay for the quantification of immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) were included. An IRT(+)/IRT(+) strategy was adopted, with diagnostic confirmation by sweat test. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the incidence of CF. Variability in the incidence of CF was observed between 2018 and 2023, with a peak in 2020 (1/4,431) followed by a decrease in subsequent years. In the temporal trend analysis, it was observed that the incidence of CF does not follow a simple linear trend, indicating more complex fluctuations over time, but with an increase in the average incidence being statistically significant (p=0.0385). Management indicators showed improvements in sample processing and analysis times over the years. The distribution of confirmed CF cases by health region did not reflect statistically significant differences, with a higher concentration in the Central Department (26%). The incidence of CF in Paraguay shows a stable trend in recent years. Improvements in management indicators and regional disparities in disease incidence highlight the need for differentiated approaches to CF detection.