ABSTRACT
Background: People with CF (pwCF) frequently have
gastrointestinal symptoms (GI), including abdominal pain and irregular
bowel movements. These are often embarrassing, difficult to report, and
frequently missed. Thus, a GI Symptom Tracker was created and validated
in the US and translated and validated in Dutch. This questionnaire
consists of four subscales: Eating Challenges, Stools, Adherence
Challenges and Abdominal Symptoms. Aim of this study was to investigate
the relationship between GI symptoms, anxiety/depression and
health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Dutch pwCF.
Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional single-center
pilot study, pwCF completed the Dutch GI Symptom Tracker, GAD-7
(anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), and CFQ-R (HRQoL) from Sept 2021-June
2022. Regression analyses were used to analyze the univariable
associations between GI symptoms, anxiety/depression and HRQoL.
Results: 51 pwCF were enrolled consecutively (n = 41
adults, 66% female, mean age (y) [range]= 32.7 [19-71] & n =10 adolescents, 70% female, mean age (y) [range]= 14.2
[12-17]). Elevated levels of anxiety (scores ≥10 on GAD-7) were
found in 17% of adults and 0% of adolescents. Elevated depression
scores ( ≥10 on PHQ-9) were found in 9% of adults and 20% of
adolescents. GI scales ‘Eating Challenges’ and ‘Stools’ were
significantly, positively associated with elevated symptoms of anxiety
and depression. Most GI scales were associated with lower HRQoL.
Conclusion: This is the first study investigating the link
between GI symptoms assessed by the Dutch GI Symptom Tracker and
anxiety/depression and HRQoL in Dutch pwCF. More GI symptoms were
associated with higher anxiety and depression scores and worse
health-related quality of life. Additional research is needed to better
understand how mental and physical health are linked in CF.