BackgroundParents of children with chronic conditions are known to be at risk of impairment in their quality of life (QoL). Studies considering other chronic conditions proposed diverse factors to have an impact on the parent’s QoL. So far, there has been little research on parents who have a child with phenylketonuria (PKU). This study was designed to evaluate the parental quality of life (PQoL) of parents of children and adolescents who have PKU and identify possible predictors of PQoL.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study 89 parents completed self-report measures of PQoL, family stress, social support, and parental coping. To determine the impact of these potential predictors on PQoL, regression and mediation analyses were performed.ResultsMost parents coped well with their children’s metabolic disorder. Family stress (β = −0.42; p < 0.001) and perceived social support (β = 0.33; p = 0.001) were proven to be the most powerful predictors, accounting together for 45% of the variance of PQoL. Social support mediated the association between family stress and PQoL.ConclusionsThe current study indicates that parents of younger children are an especially vulnerable group. Members of health-care teams should be able to identify and empower vulnerable parents to seek and maintain social support.

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BackgroundParents caring for a child with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are at high risk for psychological distress and have limited access to psychological care. Therefore, a web-based psychological support program for severely distressed parents of children with CF (WEP-CARE) was developed and evaluated for its feasibility and efficacy.MethodsA clinical expert panel developed WEP-CARE based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy. This web-based writing therapy comprises nine sessions, tailored for the specific needs of caregivers. The pilot study was conducted as a single-group intervention with pre-post-follow-up design. Out of 31 participants, 23 parents completed the intervention (21 female; mean age 37 years; SD = 6.2 years, range 25 – 48 years). Psychological symptoms and quality of life were assessed online by self-report measures at pre- and post-treatment and were followed up three months later.ResultsOn average, the caregivers’ symptoms of anxiety decreased statistically significant and clinical relevant about five points from an elevated (M = 11.4; SD =2.6) to a normal level (M = 6.7; SD = 2.6; p < .001) between pre and post treatment. Fear of disease progression (p < .001) and symptoms of depression (p = .02) significantly decreased as well. Quality of life significantly improved (p = .01). The effects were maintained at the 3-months follow-up assessment.ConclusionsWEP-CARE is feasible and promising regarding its efficacy to improve parental mental health and quality of life.

BackgroundEpidemiological studies report high rates of depression among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Assuming a causal relationship between depression and the progression of CF, our hypothesis is that elevated symptoms of depression would be a predictor of worse lung function after two years.MethodsIn the context of the TIDES study, 473 German patients with CF (age 12–53 years, FEV1% predicted M = 66.2, range 13–137) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Lung function (FEV1% predicted) was assessed at baseline and followed up two years later. Repeated measures analysis was performed involving the level of FEV1% and the level of depressive symptoms at baseline as independent factors and FEV1% at the 2-year follow-up as the dependent variable.ResultsInteraction between lung function and depression at baseline significantly affected the change in lung function at the 2-years observation interval. The largest decline in FEV1% occurred in depressed patients with good lung function at baseline. In contrast, patients without any clinically relevant depressive symptoms and with poor lung function at baseline showed a slight increase two years later.ConclusionThe findings emphasise the need to screen patients with CF for symptoms of depression and to treat co-morbid depression.

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