{
  "abstract": "Background Bronchiectasis is characterised by a chronic wet cough, recurrent chest infections and abnormal bronchial dilatation. Previous work has shown that children with bronchiectasis have significantly worse self-reported and parent-perceived health-related quality of life, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Childhood chronic illness affects the psychological well-being of primary caregivers. 1 The standard of care for patients with cystic fibrosis is to have access to a designated psychologist. The same standard is not afforded to patients with other long-term respiratory conditions.Method We screened paediatric bronchiectasis patients using the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) during clinic visits. Socioeconomic status, hospital admissions, and antibiotic use were also recorded.Results 17 patients completed the SDQ, mean age 11.29 years (SD 3.87), with 4 female (24%) and 13 male (76%). Most of the patients were in the most deprived deciles (IMD 1–4, 71%). 4 had admissions for IV antibiotics in 2024 and 14/17 had at least one course of oral antibiotics (mean 2.7 courses, min 0, max 6).Most participants scored within the average range on the SDQ (70%). A proportion had borderline (12%) or above average (18%) scores, indicating possible emotional or behavioural difficulties. Five children scored on the impact scale (1 borderline; 4 above average), suggesting these issues were affecting their daily lives. Among the three children who scored high on both the SDQ and impact scales, none had required hospitalisation, but two had received multiple courses of antibiotics.Conclusions The SDQ is a screening tool which identified a possible unmet psychological need in 30% of our patient population, the same proportion that has been found in other national screening studies. 2 This highlights the need for improved psychological support for children with bronchiectasis and their families.References Cox NS, Wilson CJ, Bennett KA, Johnston K, Potter A, Chang AB, Lee AL. Health-related quality of life and psychological wellbeing are poor in children with bronchiectasis and their parents. ERJ Open Res. 2019 Sep 10;5(3):00063–2019.Glazebrook C, Hollis C, Heussler H, Goodman R, Coates L. Detecting emotional and behavioural problems in paediatric clinics. Child Care Health Dev. 2003 Mar;29(2):141–9.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal London Children, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "S Brown"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal London Children, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "C Lambert"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal London Children, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "M Dahabreh"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal London Children, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "C Pao"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal London Children, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "B Westphal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Queen Mary University of London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "A Whitehouse"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P135 Paediatric bronchiectasis – the unmet need for psychological support in a tertiary centre",
  "uid": "bee93cf0-c134-5ecc-8ad5-ee36d561eb34"
}