Time spent in therapy: how to measure the burden of disease for cystic fibrosis

Methods: Screening was undertaken in 2016 and 2018, using the PHQ9 and the GAD7, with reasons for non-participation identified. Lung function (LF), prescribed MH medication, contacts with the CF psychologist and the use of external MH care were documented. Results: 119/157 adult patients participated in MH screening (once n= 36; twice n= 83). Reasons for non-participation were varied: refusal, other needs, missed at clinic visit, transplantation, learning difficulties, psychiatric problems. 33/157 patients were prescribed MH medication: anxiolytics (8); antidepressants (AD)(8); sleep medication (4); combination sleep/AD (12); other (1). The prescribing doctors were: CF physician (19), psychiatrist (8), and GP (6). Of these, 8 patients did not participate in MH screening; 25 consulted the CF psychologist more than 3 times a year, 7 also had an external therapist (4 had screened ‘no symptoms’). Between 2016 …