Psychological problems and quality of life in children with thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE

The study is aimed to assess psychological problems and quality of life (QOL) in children with thalassemia.

METHODS

Thirty-nine children (8-16 yr) with transfusion dependent thalassemia attending day care services for blood transfusion were assessed for psychological problems using the Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule and QOL was assessed using the EQ-5D.

RESULTS

Forty-four percent of the children had psychological problems and 74% had a poor QOL. Anxiety-related symptoms (67%), emotional problems, particularly depression (62%) and conduct problems (49%) were the main findings. The children were most likely to report impaired QOL due to severe difficulties in pain/discomfort (64%) dimension, followed by depression and mobility problems of equal severity (33%). The side effects of chelation were an independent predictor of psychological problems and impaired QOL. Also psychological problems were a significant predictor of impaired QOL.

CONCLUSION

The recognition and management of the psychological problems that accompany chronic physical illnesses including thalassemia would optimize treatment outcomes and QOL.