The Link Between Cystic Fibrosis and Depression

Many individuals with chronic illness or disease are likely to experience emotional problems such as depression or anxiety. In many cases the nature of the chronic illness is the underlying cause of mood disorders. Poor physical health can lead to psychological distress, and vice versa. Determining the course of treatment is these cases requires that the patient and diagnosing physician work together to find a solution that address both the chronic illness and the distressing psychological issues in tandem.

In the case of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, psychological function has been assesed, but with varying results. The medical community at large is still working to better understand the link between the biological and psychological aspects of how patients with CF cope in the face of an ever-progressing disease. Some studies suggest that as patients with CF age, the likelihood of emotional disturbance increase. This is possibly due to patients being forced to break new ground in world that had been previously explored by relatively few cystic fibrosis adults.

As the median survival rate, as reported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, continues to increase, adults with CF find themselves in uncertain and untested territory. The stress and anxiety that occurs as a result is likely to contribute to psychosocial and/or psychological impairment. It was hypothesized, by Deborah L. Anderson, PhD; Patrick A. Flume, MD, FCCP; and Kristina K. Hardy, PhDin their article Psychological Functioning of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis that "the higher prevalence of psychopathology may be related to disease severity rather than chronologic age." (Chest 2001;119;1079-1-84. DOI 10.1378/chest.119.4.1079). However, their study concluded that adults with CF do not demonstrate significant levels of depression, anxiety, or other psychopathology. The rate of clinical depression in their sample "was equivalent to that found in the general population."