Physical and mental health and some related factors in patients with beta-thalassemia major referred to thalassemia ward of Dezful, Khuzestan, Southwest of Iran

Background: Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders in the world, especially in Iran. Many factors such as chronic disease, high costs of treatment, patient scenarios, premature death expectation, have caused a negative impact on their physical and mental health patients. Thus, the study of various aspects affecting the physical and mental health in patients with beta thalassemia major has become more important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the physical and mental health and some of their related factors in patients with beta thalassemia major. Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, physical and mental health and related factors in patients with thalassemia major (15 to 25 years) attending Dezful Thalassemia Center has been studied in 2015. Patients with beta thalassemia major, including 66 males (92/58%) and 46 females (07/41%) with mean age of 23 years were enrolled in the study. Collecting the data was based on self-report questionnaires, including demographic questionnaire and 36-SF quality of life questionnaire. Finally, using SPSS software version 18 and chi-square test, T-test and Pearson's correlation coefficients, the data were analyzed. Results: The findings showed that there is no statistically significant difference (p =0/025) between men and women in all aspects of quality of life except role disorder. Married people also have a higher quality of life and mental health in comparison to other people. In other words, married people emotional health, energy / fatigue, emotional well-being and social functioning were significantly less injured than single people which was statistically significant (p <0/05). Among other factors (blood group, education, hospitalization and surgery, and gender), and quality of life variables, no statistically significant relationship was observed (p>0/05) , while there was a direct correlation between income and body weight, physical health, mental health and quality of life scores, but it was not statistically significant (p>0/05). In addition, there were negative correlation between age and physical health, mental health and quality of life total scores which were not statistically significant (p =0/46). Conclusion: To any extent that people had more financial capability, their physical and mental health and quality of life were significantly higher than those who had poor financial condition. In addition, the quality of life for both sexes (physical functioning, pain and general health, emotional health, energy / fatigue, emotional well-being and social functioning), except for the role disorder, was affected to the same extent by beta Thalassemia. This shows that patients with thalassemia need special care and self-care education to reduce the negative effects of the illness (physical and mental) and prevent a decrease in the patient's quality of life.

beta-thalassemia, major, quality of life, health related