Impact of Trikafta on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores

ABSTRACT

As new therapies emerge for cystic fibrosis (CF), it is important to understand their psychiatric implications. Studies have shown cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators to be associated with worsening of depression and anxiety symptoms. Trikafta® (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) is a newly-approved CFTR modulator that significantly improves lung function, decreases pulmonary exacerbations, and improves the quality of life. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of Trikafta® on anxiety and depression. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Trikafta® on PHQ-9 (depression screening questionnaire) and GAD-7 (anxiety screening questionnaire), scores in adult patients with CF seen at an academic health centre in the Southeastern United States. Methods:We conducted a retrospective chart review of 127 adult patients with CF who initiated Trikafta® between (11/2019 to 08/2021). We gathered data, including demographic information (age, sex, race, CF mutation), annual PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, corresponding FEV1 percent predicted, BMI, mental health diagnoses, counseling/psychotherapy use, psychiatric medication use, prescriber of those medications, number of psychiatric emergency department visits and psychiatric admissions, and sleep disturbances. We then ran linear mixed models examining the effect of Trikafta® on PHQ- 9 and GAD-7 scores after controlling for timing with respect to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Results: Of the 127 adult patient charts reviewed,100were included. These patients yielded 562 PHQ-9 and 562 GAD-7 scores taken from 01/2015–01/ 2022. No change in PHQ-9 scores was found after initiating Trikafta® or after the beginning of COVID (designated as March 15, 2020). Similarly, GAD-7 scores showed no significant change after Trikafta® or COVID. Table 1. Patient demographics N = 100 (Table Presented) Conclusion: There is no significant change in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of patients with CF after initiating Trikafta®