Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease

  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that depressive disorders and anxiety disorders are much more prevalent among medically ill children and adolescents when compared with the general population, and that the presence of comorbidity may adversely affect medical outcomes and quality of life. Whereas the prevalence and impact of anxiety and depressive disorders have been described in chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy, much less is known about sickle cell disease (SCD), a disorder that affects more than 70,000 Americans, primarily those of African and Mediterranean descent. A hallmark of this disorder is recurrent, acute, and chronic pain that often requires emergency management and hospitalization. Medical advances in the treatment of this illness have transformed SCD from a condition associated with very early morbidity and mortality into a chronic condition of adulthood. This article reviews the evidence describing our knowledge of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with SCD, its clinical impact, and effectiveness of interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Wulsin LR, Singal BM: Do depressive symptoms increase the risk for the onset of coronary disease? A systematic quantitative review. Psychosom Med 2003, 65: 201–210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Burg MM, Benedetto MC, Rosenberg R, Soufer R: Presurgical depression predicts medical morbidity 6 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Psychosom Med 2003, 65: 111–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Connerney I, Shapiro PA, McLaughlin JS, et al.: Relation between depression after coronary artery bypass surgery and 12-month outcome: a prospective study. Lancet 2001, 358: 1766–1771.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Evans DL: Mood disorders in the medically ill: scientific review and recommendations. Biol Psychiatry 2005, 58: 175–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lewis M, Vitulano LA: Biopsychosocial issues and risk factors in the family when the child has a chronic illness. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2003, 12: 389–399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Caplan R, Siddarth P, Gurbani S, et al.: Depression and anxiety disorders in pediatric epilepsy. Epilepsia 2005, 46: 720–730.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rutter M, Graham P, Yule W: A Neuropsychiatric Study in Childhood. London: Spastics International Medical Publications; 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Rutter M, Tizard J, Whitmore K: Education, Health and Behavior. London: Longmens; 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Platt OS, Brambilla DJ, Rosse WF, et al.: Mortality in sickle cell disease. Life expectancy and risk factors for early death. N Engl J Med 1994, 330: 1639–1644.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Platt OS, Thorington BD, Brambilla DJ, et al.: Pain in sickle cell disease. Rates and risk factors. N Engl J Med 1991, 325: 11–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Quinn CT, Rogers ZR, Buchanan GR: Survival of children with sickle cell disease. Blood 2004, 103: 4023–4027.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Charache S, Terrin ML, Moore RD, et al.: Effect of hydroxyurea on the frequency of painful crises in sickle cell anemia. Investigators of the Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Anemia. N Engl J Med 1995, 332: 1317–1322.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Adams R, McKie V, Nichols F, et al.: The use of transcranial ultrasonography to predict stroke in sickle cell disease. N Engl J Med 1992, 326: 605–610.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Adams RJ, McKie VC, Hsu L, et al.: Prevention of a first stroke by transfusions in children with sickle cell anemia and abnormal results on transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. N Engl J Med 1998, 339: 5–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Vichinsky EP, Neumayr LD, Earles AN, et al.: Causes and outcomes of the acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease. National Acute Chest Syndrome Study Group. N Engl J Med 2000, 342: 1855–1865.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gladwin MT, Sachdev V, Jison ML, et al.: Pulmonary hypertension as a risk factor for death in patients with sickle cell disease. N Engl J Med 2004, 350: 886–895.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Machado RF, Martyr S, Kato GJ, et al.: Sildenafil therapy in patients with sickle cell disease and pulmonary hypertension. Br J Haematol 2005, 130: 445–453.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Steinberg MH, Barton F, Castro O, et al.: Effect of hydroxyurea on mortality and morbidity in adult sickle cell anemia: risks and benefits up to 9 years of treatment. JAMA 2003, 289: 1645–1651.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Morgan SA, Jackson J: Psychological and social comcomitants of sickle cell anemia in adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol 1985, 11: 429–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Hurtig AL, Park KB: Adjustment and coping in adolescents with sickle cell disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1989, 565: 172–178.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Morin C, Waring EM: Depression and sickle cell anemia. South Med J 1981, 74: 766–768.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Belgrave FZ, Molock SD: The role of depression in hospital admissions and emergency treatment of patients with sickle cell disease. J Natl Med Assoc 1991, 83: 777–781.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Thompson RJ, Jr, Gil KM, Abrams MR, Phillips G: Stress, coping and psychological adjustment of adults with sickle cell disease. J Consult Clin Psychol 1992, 60: 433–440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Wilson Schaeffer JJ, Gil KM, Burchinal M, et al.: Depression, disease severity and sickle cell disease. J Behav Med 1998, 22: 115–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hasan SP, Hashmi S, Alhassen M, et al.: Depression in sickle cell disease. J Natl Med Assoc 2003, 95: 533–537.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Gil KM, Thompson RJ, Jr, Keith BR, et al.: Sickle cell disease pain in children and adolescents: change in pain frequency and coping strategies over time. J Pediatr Psychol 1993, 18: 621–637.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kumar S, Powars D, Allen J, Haywood LJ: Anxiety, self concept, and personal and social adjustments in children with sickle cell anemia. J Pediatr 1976, 88: 859–863.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Lemanek K, Moore SL, Gresham F, et al.: Psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell anemia. J Pediatr Psychol 1986, 11: 397–410.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Thompson RJ, Jr, Gil KM, Burbach DJ, et al.: Role of child and maternal processes in the psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell disease. J Consult Clin Psychol 1993, 61: 468–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lee EJ, Phoenix D, Brown W, Jackson BS: Comparison study of children with sickle cell disease and their nondiseased siblings on hopelessness, depression and perceived competence. J Adv Nurs 1997, 25: 79–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Barbarin OA, Whitten CF, Bonds SM: Estimating rates of psychosocial problems in urban and poor children with sickle cell anemia. Health Soc Work 1994, 19: 112–119.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Trzepacz AM, Vannatta K, Gerhardt CA, et al.: Emotional, social and behavioral functioning of children with sickle cell disease and comparison peers. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2004, 26: 642–648.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Seigel WM, Golden NH, Gough JW, et al.: Depression, selfesteem, and life events in adolescents with chronic diseases. J Adolesc Health Care 1990, 11: 501–504.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Yang YM, Cepeda M, Price C, et al.:Depression in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1994, 148: 457–460.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Molock SD, Belgrave FZ: Depression and anxiety in patients with sickle cell disease: conceptual and methodological considerations. J Health Soc Policy 1994, 5: 39–54.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Telfair J: Factors in the long term adjustment of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: conceptualizations and review of the literature. J Health Soc Policy 1994, 5: 69–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Nadel C, Portadin G: Sickle cell crises: psychological factors associated with onset. N Y State J Med 1977, 77: 1075–1078.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bennett DS: Depression among children with chronic medical problems: a meta-analysis. J Pediatr Psychol 1994, 19: 149–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Burlew K, Telfair J, Colangelo L, Wright EC: Factors that influence adolescent adaptation to sickle cell disease. J Pediatr Psychol 2000, 25: 287–299.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Casey RL, Brown RT: Psychological aspects of hematologic diseases. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2003, 12: 567–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Kliewer W, Lewis H: Family influences on coping processes in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. J Pediatr Psychol 1995, 20: 511–525.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. American Pain Society: Guideline for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Fishbain D, Cutler R, Rosomoff H, Comorbid psychiatric disorders in chronic pain patients. Pain Clin 1998, 11: 79–87.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Goldston DB, Kovacs M, Ho VY, et al.: Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among youth with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1994, 33: 240–245.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Alao AO, Cooley E: Depression and sickle cell disease. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2001, 9: 169–177.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Samuel RZ: Priapism associated with venlafaxine use. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2000, 39: 16–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Chen H, Cohen P, Kasen S, et al.: Impact of adolescent mental disorders and physical illnesses on quality of life 17 years later. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006, 160: 93–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Goodwin RD, Messineo K, Bregante A, et al.: Prevalence of probable mental disorders among pediatric asthma patients in an inner-city clinic. J Asthma 2005, 42: 643–647.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Jacobson AM, Samson JA, Weinger K, Ryan CM: Diabetes, the brain and behavior: Is there a biological mechanism underlying the association between diabetes and depression? Int Rev Neurobiol 2002, 51: 455–479.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kovacs M, Obrosky DS, Goldston D, Drash A: Major depressive disorders in youth with IDDM: a controlled prospective study of course and outcome. Diabetes Care 1997, 20: 45–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Hilton C, Osborn M, Knight S, et al.: Psychiatric complications of homozygous sickle cell disease among young adults in the Jamaican Cohort Study. Br J Psychiatry 1997, 170: 69–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Grant MM, Gil KM, Floyd MY, Abrams M: Depression and functioning in relation to health care use in sickle cell disease. Ann Behav Med 2000, 22: 149–157.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3440 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Tami D. Benton

Authors
  1. Tami D. Benton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Judith A. Ifeagwu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kim Smith-Whitley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tami D. Benton.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Benton, T.D., Ifeagwu, J.A. & Smith-Whitley, K. Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Curr Psychiatry Rep 9, 114–121 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0080-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-007-0080-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation