Depression Among Caregivers of Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Causes and Solutions

Excerpt

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the commonest inherited, life-limiting illness. Earlier it was considered to be a disease of Caucasian population. Now it is considered to be affecting all ethnic groups with different incidence. Significant research has improved the understanding of pathogenesis of CF. As of now there is no cure for CF. With advances in management, survival of CF children and their quality of life has improved. The treatment is expensive and time consuming. In India most of the burden of providing care to the children with CF is on their parents or caregivers and this burden increases the psychological stress on them. There are multiple studies assessing psychogenic problems in children, adolescents and adults living with cystic fibrosis. However, there are a few studies to document psychological effects on parents or caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis. …