Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with β-Thalassemia Major in Northern Khuzestan Province, Southwest of Iran in 2015-2016

Introduction: Thalassemia not only influences the patients’ physical function, but also their emotional, social, and school functions, leading to the disorder in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients with inappropriate treatment. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the health-related quality of life for patients with β-thalassemia major in northern Khuzestan in 2015-2016. Material and Method: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in targeted sampling method on qualified patients with thalassemia who recourse the Dezful large hospital thalassemia ward and Andimeshk, Shush, Shoushtar, and Masjid Soleyman (northern Khuzestan) thalassemia centers. Data collecting tools included demographic as well as quality of life SF-36 questionnaires. Findings: The total score average of quality of life was 63.91 in these patients. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the total average score of quality of life in Persian race, urban patients without hospitalization and/or surgery, compared to others (p<0/05). Pearson correlation test showed a positive, statistically significant correlation between weight and quality of life (r:0/17) (p:0/007). Conclusion: An appropriate plan for promoting the level of general health as well as training the quality of activity in order for preventing fatigue, along with clinical-remedial services can promote the quality of life

Quality of life, Thalassemia major, Khuzestan