Psychological Aspects in Children and Adolescents With Major Thalassemia: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disease. It is a serious public health problem throughout the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Southeast Asia. Objectives: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disease. It is a serious public health problem. In this study we assessed psychological aspects in Iranian children and adolescents with thalassemia major. Patients and Methods:In this case-control study sixty healthy subjects aged 7-18 years and Sixty Patients with confirmed diagnosis of major thalassemia were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent from parents of all participating thalassemia patients and healthycontrols, we assessed psychological aspects and quality of life by Pediatric Quality of LifeTM (PedsQL™), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ), State and Trait Anxiety, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Results:The results of this study indicate that there are significant changes in depression, anxiety, QOL and behavioral screening between children with thalassemia major compared with healthy subjects by means of both parents and children reports. According to the results, children with thalassemia major have more psychological problems than healthy ones. Patients with thalassemia have a lower QOL than their peers (P = 0.001), the rate of depression is higher in this group (P = 0.015), Also behavioral problems in these children are more than healthy subjects (P = 0.009). Conclusions:We recommend appropriate treatment and counseling procedures in addition to specific treatment of thalassemia. According to the results we suggest to establish pediatric psychiatric clinics beside thalassemic clinics to cure psychological aspects of the disease.

Determinant factors of depression in beta major thalassemia children

“…Changes in physical appearance also contribute to a bad self-image. Serious complications that can occur such as heart failure, arrhythmia, liver disorders, endocrine complications and infections (Behdani et al 2015).…”

Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms in Patients With Beta Thalassemia Major in Almadinah Almunawwarah, Saudi Arabia

“…Several studies reported the prevalence of depression in thalassemia patients internationally, ranging from 10% to 50%, but we could not find any publication from Saudi Arabia [ 7 , 8 , 13 ]. Different reports from Iran reported that depression in BTM patients is a predominant presentation ranging between 12% and 30% and that up to 54% of patients found to have a type of psychopathological disorder [ 14 - 17 ]. More serious psychological complications in BTM patients can present, as it was reported in a study conducted in Iran that up to 27.3% of patients considered suicide in the year before the study [ 18 ].…”

The transactional model of stress and coping as guidance for understanding adolescent patients' experience with thalassemia: Case report

“…A study conducted by Jain, Bagul, and Porwal (2013) revealed that psychosocial problems are more common in adolescents and young adults with thalassemia than in other age groups. Similarly, Behdani et al (2015) found that adolescents with thalassemia major have a lower quality of life than their healthy peers, as well as greater depression and behavioral problems. Further, research demonstrates that adolescents with thalassemia major have marked decreases in academic achievement which might be attributed to frequent absence from school for receiving a blood transfusion, hospital appointments and treatment of complications (Nashwan et al, 2018).…”