Comparison of Quality of Life in Patients with β-Thalassemia Intermedia and β-Thalassemia Major in Southern Iran

Abstract

Increased life expectancy in patients with β-thalassemia (β-thal) requires healthcare professionals to give greater attention to improving their quality of life (QoL). We aimed to evaluate health-related QoL (HRQoL) and its determinants in patients with β-thal intermedia (β-TI) compared with β-thal major (β-TM). In this cross sectional study, 118 patients with β-TI, referred to the Thalassemia Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, were investigated by convenience sampling from January to June 2014 in southern Iran. A Short Form-36 (SF36) questionnaire was used. We had previously conducted a similar study in 101 patients with β-TM (12 to 38 years). Compared data of the two studies were analyzed. Mean age was 26.5 ± 6.5 (12 to 48) years in β-TI and 19.5 ± 4.4 (12–38) years in the β-TM group. The best scales of HRQoL were physical functionin (PF) (76.8 ± 26.6) and bodily pain (BP) (70.1 ± 24.8) in the β-TI group. Males had significantly better score only in vitality dimension compared to females (p = 0.020). Higher education (p = 0.023) in univariate analysis and age ≤20 years (B coefficient = 13, p = 0.008) in multivariate analysis showed significant relationships with higher total HRQoL score in β-TI. Comparison of β-TI and β-TM, after adjusting for covariates, total HRQoL was similar between the two groups. In evaluating the subscales, only PF showed a better condition in patients with β-TM [adjusted mean difference = 12.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5.6–19.3, p < 0.0001]. Contrary to our expectations, QoL in patients with β-TI were not better than β-TM. Training programs and psychosocial support of all patients with β-TI and β-TM as well as their care providers with more focus on older patients, females and the patients with lower educational degree should be taken into account.