A Systematic Review of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in
People Living with Cystic Fibrosis
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of research that has focused on
ADHD in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Given ADHD is associated
with executive functioning impairments, exploring ADHD in the context of
living with 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. Methods: This systematic review
followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. 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. Results: Ten studies were included in this
systematic review. Reported prevalence rates of ADHD in people with CF
ranged from 5.26% to 21.9%. The reported relationships between ADHD in
pwCF and other health outcomes is also 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. Conclusions: The presence of ADHD
in pwCF should be evaluated when symptoms are impacting treatment
adherence and health outcomes. Additional research is needed to further
explore ADHD in the CF population and health variables that may be
associated with CF prognosis.