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Psychological problems and quality of life in children with thalassemia

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Abstract

Objective

The study is aimed to assess psychological problems and quality of life (QOL) in children with thalassemia.

Methods

Thirty-nine children (8–16 yr) with transfusion dependent thalassemia attending day care services for blood transfusion were assessed for psychological problems using the Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule and QOL was assessed using the EQ-5D.

Results

Forty-four percent of the children had psychological problems and 74% had a poor QOL. Anxiety-related symptoms (67%), emotional problems, particularly depression (62%), and conduct problems (49%) were the main findings. The children were most likely to report impaired QOL due to severe difficulties in pain/discomfort (64%) dimension, followed by depression and mobility problems of equal severity (33%). The side effects of chelation were an independent predictor of psychological problems and impaired QOL. Also psychological problems were a significant predictor of impaired QOL.

Conclusion

The recognition and management of the psychological problems that accompany chronic physical illnesses including thalassemia would optimize treatment outcomes and QOL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India

    D. Shaligram, S. C. Girimaji & S. K. Chaturvedi

Authors
  1. D. Shaligram
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  2. S. C. Girimaji
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  3. S. K. Chaturvedi
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Correspondence to D. Shaligram.

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Shaligram, D., Girimaji, S.C. & Chaturvedi, S.K. Psychological problems and quality of life in children with thalassemia. Indian J Pediatr 74, 727–730 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0127-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0127-6

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