Abstract

Low quality of life (QOL) is a feature that has been overlooked in thalassemia major (TM) patients. Our aim was to assess QOL in school-aged TM patients in Zabol city and surrounding rural areas in southeast of Iran. The study was performed in 2014. QOL was evaluated using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4 (PedsQL4) questionnaire addressing physical, emotional, social, and educational, along with psychological health in 80 TM patients. Also, 80 age-matched and sex-matched subjects without any chronic illness served as control group. Mean age of the patients was 11.7 +/- 4.1 years old. Total QOL scores was 51.4 +/- 13.3 in the patients. In comparison, mean value of total QOL score in controls was 91.1 +/- 3.3 (P < 0.0001). Poor and moderate QOL were observed in 44.7 and 48.7 of the patients, respectively. Mean functioning scores for physical, emotional, social, educational, and psychological dimensions in the patients were 56.2 +/- 119, 69.6.4 +/- 23.3, 27.1 +/- 22.1, 52.3 +/- 18.1, and 48.9 +/- 11.8, respectively. The lowest level of QOL was related to the social field (81.3 with less than average score), while the highest QOL was related to the emotional aspect (58.8 with good QOL; >75 scores). Overall, female sex, poor compliance with chelation therapy, and residency in urban areas were significantly associated with poor QOL. In conclusion, providing a psychiatric health package seems to be essential for improving QOL in TM patients, especially in social field.