Stress and mental health in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis 1 year after the COVID pandemic: Findings from an Italian sample

Abstract

Background: The spread of COVID-19 was associated with increased stress and new mental health concerns for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), already at increased risk for depression and anxiety. This study assessed stress and mental health in adolescents and young adults with CF 1 year from when the pandemic began.Methods: Sixty-six pwCF (mean age = 24; range 14-36) completed a new measure of the impact of COVID-19 (COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scale-Adolescence and Young Adult; CEFIS-AYA); the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. The Italian translation of the CEFIS-AYA was performed.Results: On the CEFIS-AYA, the mean Exposure score was 5.2 (SD = 2.6) out of 28. The mean Impact score was 1.8 (SD = 0.7; negative valence > 2.5). Individuals were more sedentary and undertaking less exercise. Average stress rating was 5.9 (SD = 2), indicating moderate stress. No significant differences were found between those who did (N = 12) and who did not have a COVID infection (N = 54). A high percentage of participants scored above the clinical cut-off for depression (45%) and anxiety (41%), with a low proportion reporting moderatesevere symptomatology. Conclusion:After 1 year, the pandemic was having a less significant impact on patients' daily lives. Sedentary activity and reduced exercise were common. Despite expectations that this group was particularly vulnerable, depression and anxiety scores were similar to the rates described for this population before the pandemic.Overall, these results suggested that pwCF are highly resilient and nearly 1 year after the onset of COVID-19, have returned to similar daily activities and emotional health.

Mental Health of Cystic Fibrosis Patients and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland: A Single-Center Comparative Study

“…Those results differ from that of Graziano et al, where 75% of the study participants manifested symptoms of depression [ 32 ]. In another study by Graziano et al, 45% of CF adolescents and adults scored above the depression cut-off one year after the beginning of the pandemic, which was similar to the results of that population prior to the pandemic [ 25 ]. Although the frequency of depression was higher than in our study, the general tendency was similar—COVID-19 did not influence the occurrence of depression in CF patients.…”

“…Although the elevated levels of distress were significant, there were no differences in incidences of depression amongst the studied groups [ 24 ]. Similar results were obtained in the study by Graziano et al, where CF patients’ perceived level of stress one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was rated as moderate; however, their anxiety and depression scores were similar to those before the pandemic [ 25 ]. As CF patients have already dealt with the burden of their disease, the new challenges and threats of the pandemic may have contributed to the deterioration of their mental health.…”

Two Years of COVID-19 Pandemic: What Psychological Impact in Primary Ciliary Diskinesia? A Prospective Study of an Italian Center

“…A longitudinal study in inflammatory bowel diseases patients showed that health-related quality of life was not related to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather to the course of the disease, in relation to its activity phases [28]. Moreover, an Italian study of patients with respiratory chronic disease, showed that after a year from the pandemic beginning, depression and anxiety scores were like rates described for this population before the pandemic [29]. Our results were consistent with these published data.…”

Impact of COVID-19 in Children with Chronic Lung Diseases

“…Nonetheless, at the end of 2020, a prospective Italian study showed that PCD patients suffered from a psychological distress similar to controls; likely because of a low rate of pulmonary exacerbation during follow-up [ 43 ]. In keeping with this, a recent study assessed stress and mental health in adolescents, and young adults with Cystic Fibrosis; the study showed that the depression and anxiety scores were similar before and after the pandemic [ 44 ].…”