Authors
Abstract
Introduction: Thalassemia syndrome is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy that is transferred to
individual of mutations in the genes alpha or beta goblin chain manufacturer. In beta
thalassemia, there is impaired in manufacturer beta chain gene. If both beta genes are defective,
a person will catch thalassemia and severe anemia. Thalassemia is one of the most common
human chronic diseases in the world and it provides many problems for patients, families and
health care system. The prevalence of thalassemia in Iran is about 4-3 percent of the total
population. Statistics over of this disease and a variety of physical, mental and social disorders in
patients were showed high rate of disorder in the normal routine of life in patients and increasing
the psychological pressure and stress in their family.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of life in school-aged children with
Thalassemia disease.
Method: This cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the quality of life in school-age
children that came to thalassemia center for receiving blood. The research tool included: the
questionnaires of demographic information and general quality of life questionnaire for children
(peds qol) version 4. They were used after determination of content validity and estimation of
reliability by internal correlation method. After collecting data, the statistical software SPSS
Version 15 and descriptive and analytical statistical tests appropriate for research purposes of
data analysis were used.
Results: The findings from research were indicated quality of life of patients in various aspects
of thalassemia disease. According to the obtained results, aspects of physical and emotional
functions of quality of life in these patients had lower scores. Mean of physical aspect was: 7.83
±2.68 and for emotional was 4.87 ±2.26. Aspect of school function had highest level and its’
mean was 8.02 ± 2.68.
Conclusion: Thalassemia patients had severe psychological and social problems. Medical
therapy with emotional, psychological and social support should be combined for improve the
quality of life in these patients that could be prevented to create irreversible effects in these
people..
Keywords
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