Psychosocial burden in thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE

To study the psychosocial life aspects of Indian adolescents suffering from transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia major. Earlier studies done in Italy, Greece and United Kingdom reported the presence of psychosocial burden associated with the disease. We aimed to determine the presence of disease burden in the psychosocial life aspects of Indian adolescents affected with thalassemia.

METHODS

Structured interviews were carried out with each of the subjects using a schedule which contained questions relating to perceived burden of thalassemia in the various psychosocial life aspects of affected adolescents.

RESULTS

Adverse impact of thalassemia was perceived in the domains of education (70%) and sports (72%). Most thalassemics were not satisfied with their body image. Almost all the study subjects felt that the disease did not affect their family or social relationships. The adolescents were anxious about their future health and education. Majority of the subjects (80%) did not discuss about their disease and its related problems with their friends. They mainly depended on their parents for monetary and emotional support.

CONCLUSION

There is tremendous psychosocial disease burden perceived by the affected adolescents and hence it is imperative to ameliorate it by promoting a clear understanding of the disease and initiating intervention programs.