Anxiety and depression in cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disorders in the Caucasian population, with estimated between 70,000 and 100,000 patients worldwide. Even if improved diagnostics and clinical management have led to an increased life expectancy, CF still remains a disease that significantly impacts patients' life in terms of symptoms, daily functioning, psychological morbidity and health related quality of life. Available data suggest that symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as in other chronic conditions, are common features in CF patients and in their caregivers, with a significant impact on disease outcomes. In this review we analyze and discuss the findings of The International Depression and Anxiety Epidemiological Study (TIDES), recently published on Thorax. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in a large population of adolescents and adults with CF and in parents of children with CF, across eight European countries and the USA. The TIDES provides useful insights about the psychological/psychiatric comorbidities in CF and its conclusions are absolutely shareable. Nevertheless some doubts remain on the methods and the tools. Further investigation and understanding of anxiety and depression in CF (in terms of prevalence, association with clinical, psychological and socio-cultural factors) is necessary and evidence is crescent that a global and multidisciplinary approach is wanted.