Anxiety and depression in adolescents with CF and their caregivers

BackgroundTo examine the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and the concordance of these symptoms in adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and their caregivers, and to analyze their healthcare utilization for mental health problems.Methods162 German adolescents with CF (aged 12–17 years) and their parental caregivers (88.3% mothers) completed screening measures for anxiety and depression and described their mental healthcare utilization.ResultsCompared to adolescent patients with CF, caregivers reported significantly more anxious and depressive symptoms. An association between adolescent and caregiver anxiety was found. Only a minority of affected patients and caregivers received any form of specialist treatment for their mental health problems.ConclusionsScreening for anxiety/depression and addressing mental health issues within the framework of a family perspective is recommended as an element of routine healthcare for adolescents with CF.