Quality of life among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years with Beta-Thalassemia Major (TM) in Qatar

Abdulqadir J Nashwan; Mohamed A Yassin; Ganga Devi J Babu; Sindhumole L K Nair; Izette L Libo-on; Hothaifah A Hijazi; Vincenzo de Sanctis; Ashraf Soliman

doi:10.23750/abm.v89i2-S.7083

Quality of life among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years with Beta-Thalassemia Major (TM) in Qatar

Authors

Abdulqadir J Nashwan Nurse Research Scientist, Medical Oncology/Hematology Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
Mohamed A Yassin Hematology Consultant, Hematology & BMT Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Ganga Devi J Babu Registered Nurse, Outpatient Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Sindhumole L K Nair Nurse Educator I, Nursing Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Izette L Libo-on Registered Nurse, Daycare Unit, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Hothaifah A Hijazi Head Nurse, Outpatient Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research – Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Vincenzo de Sanctis Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, Quisisana Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
Ashraf Soliman Pediatric Endocrinology, Hamad Medical Center, Doha, Qatar

Keywords:

Quality of Life, teenagers, β-thalassemia major, PedsQLTM, Qatar

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis. It is a common disease in Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent, and Middle East countries, including Qatar. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) among patients aged 14 to 18 years with thalassemia major (TM) in Qatar and correlates their QOL with bio-demographic data of the patients compared to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study measured the QOL in adolescents with thalassemia major who were attending ambulatory units in a tertiary hospital in Qatar. Forty children and adolescents with TM and 40 healthy participants were enrolled in the study. Forty-two (52.5%) participants were males and 38 (47.5%) females. Data were collected utilizing PedsQL^TM 4.0 generic core scale and were analyzed using the appropriate statistical method. Results: Children with TM had significantly lower and more variable overall quality of life score (69.1 ± 16.8) compared to healthy matched children (77 ± 12.8), (p <0.001). Both groups were not different from the physical, emotional, and social domains. Thalassemic adolescents had also a significantly lower school performance. Conclusions: TM adversely affects the QOL of children and adolescents and this necessitates applying more efforts to help them improve and achieve a desirable quality of life. Patients with TM need more attention in schools that can be accomplished by implementing a special program for their management that needs a mutual collaboration between Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Ministry of Education (MoE) in Qatar.