Quality of life in Sardinian patients with transfusion-dependent Thalassemia: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Quality of life research 2018-10, Vol.27 (10), p.2533-2539
• Main Authors: Floris, Francesca, Comitini, Federica, Leoni, GiovanBattista, Moi, Paolo, Morittu, Maddalena, Orecchia, Valeria, Perra, Maria, Pilia, Maria Paola, Zappu, Antonietta, Casini, Maria Rosaria, Origa, Raffaella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Blood diseases; CLINICAL AND POLICY APPLICATIONS; Cross-sectional studies; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Public Health; Quality of life; Quality of Life Research; Questionnaires; Sociology; Well being
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-018-1911-7

Purpose The aim of this study has been to evaluate the physical, psychological, and social well-being in a large group of Sardinian adult patients with transfusion-dependent beta-Thalassemia when compared with a group of healthy subjects of the same age and geographical extraction. Methods Male or female patients ≥ 18 years of age with Thalassemia major on regular transfusion at Thalassemia Center in Cagliari (Italy) were requested to complete the World Health Organization Quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The WHOQOL-BREF was also made available online to age- and sex-matched non-thalassemic adult subjects living in Sardinia. Results Two hundred and seven subjects with Thalassemia were invited to participate in the study. The questionnaire was also completed by 211 age- and sex-matched non-thalassemic subjects living in Sardinia. Scores suggestive of a good quality of life were obtained in all the areas investigated. Thalassemia patients had scores at least as good as those of non-thalassemic subjects in all items and the percentage of those with a score ≥ 60 was higher among patients. The analysis of demographic actually highlights that the disease has a little effect on their personal and social lives. There was a positive association between subjective well-being and effective clinical conditions. Moreover, the association between health perception and adherence to treatment suggests that compliance with treatment contributes to the well-being of the patient, both physically and psychologically. Conclusions Adult subjects with Thalassemia who live in Western countries have a good quality of life in accordance with the advances in the management of the disease.