Living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: This study was done to conduct a review of the literature on the psychological and emotional impact of NF1 in adult patients. Method: A literature review in PubMed (Medline) of articles published in the English languaje was conducted between January 2007 and April 2017. A total of 75 articles were found, of which 23 were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined for this review. Results: Almost all studies conclude that changes and/or disfigurement in the corporal image or physical appearance, the visibility, the pain and the severity of the disease are the central axes on which the deterioration in the quality of life of the people with NF1; due to the difficulties that patients have to adapt to the physical changes and to cope the problems of anxiety and psychological stress generated by the burden of the disease. Conclusions: Knowing the psychological and emotional impact of NF1 will allow the development and implementation of specific psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions for this population group with the aim of facilitating them to face the consequences and challenges associated with the disease.