Quality of life among children with beta-thalassemia major treated in Western Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To assess the quality of life among children and adolescents with thalassemia major. This cross-sectional study used the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedsQL]. Children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia major who attended the Day Care Unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from October 2012 to February 2013 were surveyed. The questions highlighted 4 health status scales, namely physical functioning [PF], emotional functioning [EF], school performance [SC], and social functioning [SF]. Scores were calculated for each patient and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. We recruited 46 children [60.9% males]. The median age of the sample was 12 years [range, 2-18 years]. Most patients [84.8%] had 3 weekly blood transfusions. The mean +/- SD physical functioning [PF] score was 57.2 +/- 25.9; the EF score was 74.1 +/- 20.3, SF score was 78.5 +/- 24, and SC score was 54.3 +/- 24.2. The PF score was significantly lower in patients with a family history of thalassemia [p=0.003], and in those whose families had low incomes [p=0.049]. Conversely, the SF score was significantly higher in school-educated patients [p=0.01]. The quality of life of thalassemic children is affected by multiple factors, such as family income and a family history of thalassemia. Education appeared to increase patient functionality. Supportive measures could improve the quality of life in thalassemic patients