Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Pediatri, cilt.34, sa.1, ss.1-9, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
Objective: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a rare, irreversible chronic lung disease. The COVID-19 pandemic, especially through isolation and social restrictions, significantly impacted mental health, particularly in individuals with chronic conditions. This study aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression levels in children diagnosed with BO and their parents, comparing them with healthy controls. Material and Methods: Children diagnosed with BO between 2008 and 2020 and their parents were assessed through telehealth interviews. Sociodemographic data were collected. Psychological symptoms in parents were evaluated using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), while children’s quality of life was assessed via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Depression and anxiety in children were measured using the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), both validated for the Turkish population. Control groups included children of healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Results: The study included 34 children with BO, 34 children of healthcare workers, and 34 of non-healthcare workers. Anxiety levels were significantly higher in BO patients and children of healthcare workers, while depressive symptoms were particularly elevated in the latter. Children with BO reported significantly lower physical quality of life. A positive correlation was found between child anxiety, decreased quality of life, and parental psychological distress. Conclusion: Children with BO and those of healthcare workers are at higher risk for anxiety and depression during pandemics, likely due to illness-related stress and parental occupational strain. Psychological support should be prioritized for these vulnerable groups in future outbreaks.