RESUMO
Introduction Hereditary bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD), result from specific deficiencies or malformations in the coagulation cascade proteins. These disorders can significantly impact both physical and psychological health. Complications such as depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) can further exacerbate these impacts. Despite their significance, detailed prevalence data remain limited, especially for regions such as Madinah province in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DAS and their associated risk factors among patients with hereditary bleeding disorders in Madinah province, Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using telephonic interviews involving patients diagnosed with severe hemophilia A or B or VWD attending a hematology clinic in Madinah. Patients over 10 were included, and the study excluded those with central nervous system insults and platelet count concerns. The validated and reliable Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21-item questionnaire and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS), version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), facilitated data collection and analysis, respectively. Results Of the 44 patients studied, 25% exhibited symptoms of depression, 45.5% showed signs of anxiety, and 29.5% had stress symptoms. Regarding symptom severity, 9.1% of patients experienced extremely severe depression, 15.9% had moderate anxiety, and 13.6% reported moderate stress. The prevalence of these psychological issues varied with patients' age and economic status. Notably, a significantly higher rate of depression was observed in patients over 15 years (42.9% vs. 8.7%; p=0.009). Additionally, while not statistically significant, patients with a high economic status reported increased rates of DAS. Conclusions Patients with inherited bleeding disorders, particularly those older than 15, manifest significant psychological distress. There is a pressing need for enhanced awareness, specialized screenings, and tailored counseling services to improve treatment adherence and overall quality of life. Given the findings, a comprehensive national study in Saudi Arabia is highly recommended, alongside the integration of specialized psychological services.
RESUMO
Introduction Beta thalassemia major (BTM) is a chronic hereditary blood disorder. Patients are dependent on blood transfusion and are prone to multiple comorbidities. Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) can complicate their condition. No reports from Saudi Arabia to measure DAS in BTM patients. We report the prevalence of DAS symptoms in our BTM patients using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items) test. Methods A cross-sectional study including adolescents and adults aged 14 years and above with BTM treated in Almadinah Almunawwarah and excluding patients who had bone marrow transplant or with central nervous system insults were performed. Results A total of 31 male and 31 female patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 24.32 ± 7.05 years. Depression symptoms were detected in 60 % of patients, anxiety symptoms were detected in half of the studied group, and stress symptoms were detected in 38.7% of patients. We found a significant positive correlation between DAS and DASS total score. Age below or above 18, parent's employment, patient's educational level, and status of satisfaction about medical care were statistically significant in having positive effects on scores of DAS symptoms. Conclusions BTM patients are prone to develop psychological disorders, which can affect the course of the disease. Our results are comparable to international and Arab population studies, which have the highest reported prevalence. It is important to not ignore the psychological evaluation of patients with BTM and to refer them for proper evaluation and management.
