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Quality of Life (QoL) and the Factors Affecting it in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemic Children

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the Quality of life (QoL) and the factors affecting it in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children.

Methods

Current study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics, Dr. SNMC, Jodhpur. Ninety-three transfusion-dependent thalassemic children aged between 8 and 18 y were enrolled. Quality of life was assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) measurement model in thalassemic children.

Results

Mean age of children was 11.8 ± 3.2 y. Lowest mean score was observed in School functioning (57.4) while in Physical functioning, Emotional functioning and Social functioning it was 73.9, 82.2 and 83.49 respectively. Mean PedsQL score was higher in 8-12 y age group as compared to 13-18 y (p = 0.024). PedsQL score was higher in children who required transfusion once in a month (p = 0.028) and children on combined chelation therapy as compared to children who were on injectable chelator (p = 0.039). Health Related QoL was not affected with gender, education status, family history of thalassemia, ferritin level, splenectomy or consanguinity.

Conclusions

Factors related with low QoL in current study were higher age, increased transfusion frequency and injectable mode of chelation. In order to improve the QoL in thalassemic children appropriate programmes and interventions should be started targeting above domains.

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Contributions

KC: Enrolled the patients and prepared the manuscript; VK: Designed the study and analysed and prepared the manuscript; PS: Designed, planned and analysed and prepared the manuscript; BD: Patient enrollment, data collection and analysis; SK: Data analysis, preparation of manuscript and reviewing the manuscript. PS will act as guarantor for this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Kapil Chordiya, Vikash Katewa & Pramod Sharma

  2. Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Bindu Deopa

  3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Suman Katewa

Authors
  1. Kapil Chordiya
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  2. Vikash Katewa
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  3. Pramod Sharma
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  4. Bindu Deopa
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  5. Suman Katewa
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Correspondence to Vikash Katewa.

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Chordiya, K., Katewa, V., Sharma, P. et al. Quality of Life (QoL) and the Factors Affecting it in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemic Children. Indian J Pediatr 85, 978–983 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2697-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2697-x

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