The impact of haemophilia on the social status and the health-related quality of life in adult Lebanese persons with haemophilia.

INTRODUCTION

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) studies are increasingly needed to prevent and improve the medical care of persons with haemophilia (PWH).

AIM

We assessed the impact of haemophilia on HRQoL and social status of adult Lebanese PWH compared to a reference population.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 60 severe and moderate PWH were compared to 112 healthy controls. Detailed socio-demographic data and disease characteristics were collected, and HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Age, body mass index and the percentage of married people were similar in PWH and controls. A greater proportion of controls attained a higher educational level than cases (88.4% vs 59.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). PWH were more likely to have a job requiring physical activity than controls (55.9% vs 31.4%) and more likely to be unemployed (10.2% vs 1.0%), whereas more controls had higher socio-economic jobs (10.5% vs 1.7%). PWH had significantly (P < 0.001) worse scores in all SF-36 domains except for energy/fatigue. Affected targeted joints (2.7 ± 1.5) and monthly bleeding frequency (2.9 ± 2.4) were inversely correlated with almost all SF-36 domains. Only 26.7% of PWH walk normally, and walking abnormalities were inversely correlated with all SF-36 domains except role-emotional and emotional well-being.

CONCLUSION

As compared with controls, the majority of Lebanese PWH has difficulties in social integration, has severe physical limitations and psychological impairments.