In vivo telomere dynamics of human hematopoietic stem cells

Impact Factor: 10.24

Psychological interventions during COVID pandemic: Telehealth for individuals with cystic fibrosis and caregivers

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China, leading to worldwide morbidity and mortality, including depression and anxiety. As the pandemic spread throughout Italy, mental health concerns increased for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), who are at greater risk. The aim was to pilot a Telehealth Psychological Support Intervention for pwCF and caregivers to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety during the lockdown in Italy in March 2020. Methods: This intervention utilized cognitive behavioral skills (e.g., cognitive reframing). Participants included 16 pwCF and 14 parents, who completed four individual telehealth sessions with a psychologist. Stress ratings, Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder, PHQ-8 and GAD-7, were completed, in addition to Feasibility and Satisfaction ratings. Results: Ratings of stress significantly decreased from pre- to post-testing for pwCF (paired t(14) = −4.06, p <.01) and parents (paired t = −5.2, p <.001). A large percentage of both groups scored in the clinical range for depression and anxiety at baseline (pwCF: depression/anxiety = 71%; parents: depression = 57%; anxiety = 79%); a large proportion (20%–40%) reported moderate to severe symptomatology. Significant reductions in depression for pwCF were found (pre: M = 8.0 to post: M = 4.7; paired t(14) = 2.8, p <.05) but not anxiety (pre: M = 6.9 to post: M = 5.6, t(14) = 1.2, p = NS—non-significant). Parental depression decreased for parents (pre: M = 6.4 to post: M = 5.1, t(14) = −2.5, p <.05), but not anxiety (pre: M = 8.1 to post: M = 7.9, t(14) = −0.2, p = NS). Feasibility and Satisfaction were positive. Conclusion: This telehealth intervention yielded reductions in stress and depression for participants. Anxiety did not significantly decrease, possibly because COVID was ongoing. This feasible, satisfactory intervention was effective for improving mental health

Rates of depression and anxiety in Italian patients with cystic fibrosis and parent caregivers: Implementation of the Mental Health Guidelines

Background: Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions are at-risk for depression and anxiety. In the largest mental health screening study of over 6000 people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 4000 parent caregivers (TIDES, 2014), rates of symptomatology were two to three times higher than in the general population. International guidelines recommend annual screening of mental health. This is the first study to implement these guidelines in one of the largest CF Centers in Italy.Methods: All individuals with CF, 12 and older (n = 167) and caregivers of children with CF (n = 186), birth to 18, were screened. Health outcome data were also collected (i.e FEV1, BMI, pulmonary exacerbations, CF-related diabetes). Prevalence data and associations between psychological symptoms and health outcomes were examined.Results: A high percentage of patients and parent caregivers reported scored above the clinical cut-off for depression and anxiety (37%-48% of adolescents, 45%-46% of adults, 49%-66% of mothers and fathers). Most scores fell in the mild range, however, over 30% were in the moderate to severe range. Elevations in depression and anxiety were correlated. Adolescents who had more pulmonary exacerbations reported higher anxiety. Adults with recent events of hemoptysis reported higher symptoms of depression.Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety were elevated in both individuals with CF and parents. Implementation of mental health screening was critical for identifying those in need of psychological interventions. These results strongly suggest that mental health should be integrated into physical health care for those with complex, chronic respiratory conditions, including COPD, PCD