title: Quality of life in patients with thalassemia major.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With modern medical management, thalassemia major is now extending into adulthood and it is expected to have a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life in patients with thalassemia major.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an analytic case control study. Two hundred and fifty patients and 51 participants as controls were assessed using WHOQOL- BREF (Farsi version) questionnaire. All questions were answered based on the self-evaluated status in the past 2 weeks before enrollment and were rated on a five-point Likert scale. Therefore, the raw item score ranged from 1 to 5 and scaled in a positive direction and 6 dimensions including overall QOL, overall health, physical, psychological, social, and environmental relationship were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that the QOL in all 6 dimensions was lower in patients compared to the controls (P< 0.05).Also age, higher education level, lower ferritin level and using oral iron chelator were associated with better QOL scores. On the other hand, cardiac disease, hepatitis C and history of psychiatric disorders were associated with impaired QOL scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings were important for future refinement of national thalassemia program. So, we recommended regular screening for psychiatric disorders and facilitated access to oral iron chelators. Regular monitoring and treatment of complications especially cardiac disease and hepatitis along with strict quality control of blood products were also mandatory. Also, higher education of the patients may improve quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematologist- Oncologist, Department of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, St Ali- Asqar Hospital,Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sh
authors.initials: Sh
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematologist- Oncologist, Pediatrics growth disorders research center , 17 shahrivar hospital, school of medicine, Guilan University of medical sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baghersalimi
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematologist- Oncologist, Iranian BloodTransfusion Organization Research Center, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azarkeivan
authors.affiliation: Professor of Community Medicine. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nojomi
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics growth disorders research center, 17 shahrivar hospital, school of medicine, Guilan University of medical sciences , Rasht, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassanzadeh Rad
keywords: Quality of life; Thalassemia Major; WHOQOL- BREF