Quality of Life (QoL) and the Factors Affecting it in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemic Children

Objectives To evaluate the Quality of life (QoL) and the factors affecting it in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children. Methods Current study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, Dr. SNMC, Jodhpur. Ninety-three transfusion-dependent thalassemic children aged between 8 and 18 y were enrolled. Quality of life was assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) measurement model in thalassemic children. Results Mean age of children was 11.8 +/- 3.2 y. Lowest mean score was observed in School functioning (57.4) while in Physical functioning, Emotional functioning and Social functioning it was 73.9, 82.2 and 83.49 respectively. Mean PedsQL score was higher in 8-12 y age group as compared to 13-18 y (p = 0.024). PedsQL score was higher in children who required transfusion once in a month (p = 0.028) and children on combined chelation therapy as compared to children who were on injectable chelator (p = 0.039). Health Related QoL was not affected with gender, education status, family history of thalassemia, ferritin level, splenectomy or consanguinity. Conclusions Factors related with low QoL in current study were higher age, increased transfusion frequency and injectable mode of chelation. In order to improve the QoL in thalassemic children appropriate programmes and interventions should be started targeting above domains.