ABSTRACT
Introduction/Aim: Anxiety and depression in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) is 2-3 times higher than those in the general community. The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to increase levels of distress and difficulties in secondary students in Western Australia (WA). We aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents with CF living in WA during the pandemic and investigate associations with respiratory symptoms, lung function and quality of life. Method(s): Adolescents with CF aged between 12 and 18 years old were followed at Perth Children's Hospital (Western Australia) between October 2020 and October 2022. Adolescents completed the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression when clinically stable. We assessed associations between depression and anxiety scores with respiratory symptoms from the Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Symptoms Diary and Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Infection Symptoms Scale (CFRSD-CRISS), lung function outcomes (forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV 1) and lung clearance index (LCI)), and quality of life outcomes from the health-related quality of life questionnaire (CFQ-R). Result(s): In 28 adolescents with CF, 39% had an elevated anxiety score (mild and above) and 28% had an elevated depression score (mild and above). No difference in scores was observed between males and females. Both the anxiety and depression scores correlated with the severity of respiratory symptoms from the CFRSD-CRISS questionnaire. Anxiety and depressions scores were not associated with either FEV 1 or LCI. Depressions scores were associated with most CFQ-R domains whilst anxiety scores were only associated with the social CFQ-R domain. Conclusion(s): Depression and anxiety were common in adolescents with CF in our centre. The results demonstrate the importance of depression/anxiety screening and psychological support for adolescents with CF and their families.