Cognitive profile and behavioral problems in cohort of Egyptian children with cystic fibrosis: a single-center study

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a debilitating and time-consuming disease that can interfere with or impair typical daily life activities and social interactions. This study aims to identify and evaluate behavioral problems and cognitive dysfunction in children with CF.

This study was carried out on a cohort of 40 children diagnosed with CF. Patients were assessed using a child behavior checklist (CBCL) and intelligence quotient (IQ) photograph test. The obtained results were compared with 40 matched controls.

The male population accounted for 62.5% of the patients included in the study. Patients with CF exhibited elevated somatic, anxious and aggressive behaviors relative to the control group with p values < 0.012, < 0.025, < 0.027 respectively. In addition; there was a statistically significant positive correlation between somatic problems with both age of the patients and disease duration (r value for age = 0.368; r value for duration = 0.468). Furthermore; there was positive correlation between anxious behavior with age of patients and disease duration ( r value for age = 0.358; r value for duration = 0.351). Otherwise, patients had comparable IQs (median of 107.5) with those of the control group (median of 105) with p value = 0.544.

Our findings indicate that CF has a substantial negative impact on the behavior of affected patients. However, it did not have an impact on the individual’s level of intelligence. There is evidence indicating a connection between patients’ age and disease duration with behavioral problems.