Executive functioning in pediatric cystic fibrosis: A preliminary study and conceptual model

Giving adolescents with cystic fibrosis a voice: Predicting cystic fibrosis nutritional adherence from their decision-making involvement

OBJECTIVE

Suboptimal nutritional adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (awCF) has been associated with lower lung function. AwCF often have more independence in dietary decisions than younger children, yet little research has examined how adolescent decision-making relates to nutritional adherence. This study explored whether components of adolescent decision-making involvement facilitate enzyme and caloric adherence in awCF.

METHODS

37 families participated and completed study procedures. AwCF and caregivers completed electronic surveys, including the Decision-Making Involvement Scale (DMIS). The DMIS evaluated awCF behaviors during nutrition-related decision-making/discussions with caregivers using DMIS subscales: Child Seek (asking for help/advice from caregivers), Child Express (awCF stating opinions) and Joint/Options (awCF participating in joint decision-making or caregiver providing options). AwCF completed 2, 24-hr diet recalls via videoconferencing/phone to estimate adherence. Chart reviews collected medical information. DMIS subscales were regressed onto enzyme and caloric adherence.

RESULTS

43% of awCF met calorie recommendations; 48.6% took all enzymes as prescribed. Caloric adherence was positively correlated with adolescent- and parent-reported Child Seek (r = 0.53; r = 0.36) and adolescent-reported Joint/Options (r = 0.41). Per adolescent-report, the caloric adherence regression model was significant, with Child Seek contributing unique variance in caloric adherence (β = .62, p = .03). Parent-reported adolescent-decision-making involvement significantly predicted caloric adherence, but none of the subscales contributed unique variance. No other regressions were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

When awCF participated in nutrition-related discussions with a caregiver, especially with questions, caloric adherence was better. Future research should examine whether family factors influence these results. AwCF are encouraged to ask questions in nutrition discussions.

A systematic review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in people living with cystic fibrosis

There is a lack of research that has focused on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Given ADHD is associated with executive functioning impairments, exploring ADHD in the context of living with cystic fibrosis (CF) is of great importance. The purpose of the current systematic review was to examine ADHD in pwCF across the lifespan in terms of its prevalence, its impact on various health outcomes, and treatments for managing ADHD. This systematic review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Articles reporting studies of any design that focused on ADHD in pwCF were included. Studies were excluded if they did not meet this criterion and if they were written in languages other than English. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched. Search items were based on three concepts: (1) terms related to CF, (2) terms related to ADHD, and (3) terms related to age. Ten studies were included in this systematic review. Reported prevalence rates of ADHD in pwCF ranged from 5.26% to 21.9%. The reported relationships between ADHD and CF and other health outcomes is inconsistent. In terms of treatment considerations, pharmacological interventions and behavioural strategies for managing ADHD in the context of living with CF have been reported as being successful. Additional research is needed to further explore ADHD in the CF population and health variables that may be associated with CF prognosis.

Year in Review 2020: Multisystemic impact of cystic fibrosis

Clinical care in cystic fibrosis (CF) has continued to advance over the last several years, particularly with the widespread eligibility and use of highly effective modulator therapy. Improved outcomes and longevity of persons with CF (PwCF) have increased recognition of the multisystem impact of the disease on the daily lives of PwCF. This review will cover a broad array of topics, from diagnosis to multisystem effects related to mental health, endocrine, palliative care, reproductive health, otolaryngology, and cardiac issues. Additionally, worldwide care delivery will be reviewed, demonstrating variation in outcomes based on resources and populations served. This review is part of the CF Year in Review 2020 series, focusing on the multi-system effects of CF. This review focuses on articles from Pediatric Pulmonology but also includes articles published in 2020 from other journals that are of particular interest to clinicians.

Assessment of treatment burden and complexity in cystic fibrosis: A quality improvement project

BACKGROUND

Treatment regimens for cystic fibrosis (CF) continue to evolve and grow in complexity. Treatment regimen burden, and associated sequelae, are incompletely understood.

OBJECTIVE

Quality improvement (QI) methods were used to investigate treatment burden of CF care, family and care team partnerships, and potential interventions to reduce burden.

METHODS

Patients 6-24 years with CF and caregivers of patients 6-13 years were surveyed. Portions of validated tools and existing surveys measured burden and family-care team partnership. An automated report calculated treatment complexity. Plan-do-study-act cycles tested survey administration during CF visits and run charts tracked progress. Interventions to reduce burden were tracked, and bidirectional assessments explored partnerships among patients, families and clinicians.

RESULTS

Over 6 months, 110 patients and 62 caregivers completed assessments. Caregivers reported lower burden/higher quality of life (74.0, range 22.2-100) than patients (66.5, range 16.7-100). The mean treatment complexity score was 17.2 (range 6-34). Treatment complexity and burden increased with patient age (p < .05 and p < .01 respectively). Lower lung function correlated with higher patient-reported burden (p < .01) and higher treatment complexity (p < .0001). As burden increased, providers more often performed select interventions (discussed combining treatments, simplified regimens, or involved other team members (p < .05 for each)). Families reported high partnership (mean scores 4.7-4.8, 5 = high), and providers reported high utilization of partnership tools (tool used in 77% of encounters).

CONCLUSION

We assessed, quantified, and responded to treatment burden and complexity in real-time during outpatient CF visits. Systematic and individualized assessments of treatment complexity and burden may enhance treatment adherence while preserving quality of life.

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) and cognitive function in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Being able to function cognitively is imperative for successful achievement in school, working life, and disease self-management. Diabetes is known to cause changes in brain structure and long-term cognitive dysfunction. This work investigated cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) as a mechanism for cognitive impairment in people with CF. It was hypothesised that cognition would be poorer in adults with CFRD than in those with CF without diabetes (CFND) or in healthy controls.

METHODS

Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery which provides a comprehensive cognitive assessment with tests mapping onto specific brain regions. Demographic, clinical and self-reported health data were documented for all participants. CF specific clinical variables were recorded for the two CF groups.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight people with CF (49CFRD,49CFND) and 49 healthy controls were recruited. People with CF demonstrated deficits in aspects of verbal and spatial memory, processing speed and cognitive flexibility compared with healthy controls, with all areas of the brain implicated. Those with CFRD had additional difficulties with higher-level processes known collectively as 'executive function', which demand greater cognitive load and recruit the prefrontal cortex. Compared with healthy controls, those with CFND and CFRD had an estimated 20% and up to 40% reduction in processing speed respectively.

CONCLUSION

Managing CF requires higher order executive function. Impairments may be sufficient to interfere with self-care and the ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently. At which point in the CF disease trajectory these difficulties begin, and what may attenuate them, has yet to be determined.

Promoting emotional wellness in children with CF, part II: Mental health assessment and intervention

This is the second of two companion papers that examine the emotional wellness of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) during the early years of life, defined here as the period between birth and age 12. Both papers promote optimal mental health and well-being, with an emphasis on early identification and intervention. The first paper explores child and family resilience. Here, we discuss strategies for pediatric CF teams to provide routine, systematic mental health assessment, anticipatory guidance, brief intervention, and triage to evidence-based treatment when needed, while addressing barriers to accessing care. Many mental health conditions emerge before the age of 12, with the potential for lifelong effects on individuals, their families, and society. Living with a chronic illness such as CF can further increase the risk of mental health concerns and, in a bidirectional manner, their consequences for the quality of life, sustaining daily care, and health outcomes. There has been a significant focus in recent years on the mental health and wellness of adolescents and adults with CF, but less attention to specifics of depression and anxiety in younger children, or to other common pediatric comorbidities including trauma, developmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder, and oppositional behavior. Given the availability of psychometrically sound screening instruments and effective interventions, routinely addressing the mental health of children with CF and their families is feasible to integrate within multidisciplinary CF care, allowing for a personalized approach respecting individual needs, values, and goals.

Promoting emotional wellness in children with cystic fibrosis, Part I: Child and family resilience

Attention should be given to individual and family well-being from a child's first interaction with the medical team and continuing throughout development, especially for families who experience chronic illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). While much attention has been given to the mental health of people with CF 12 years and older, this paper explores various areas for CF teams to assess and provide additional resources during the first 12 years of a child's life to promote child and family wellness. In this paper, we discuss parental mental health, social determinants of health, adherence/self-care, nutrition, attention to family lifestyle factors, engagement with school and peers, and modulator therapy for this age group of people with CF. This is the first of two companion papers which examines emotional wellness of children during the early years. The second paper examines mental health assessment and intervention for children under 12. Both encourage teams to strive to promote optimal child and family emotional health and wellness, emphasizing holistic health promotion and prevention, early identification, and intervention.