Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatric and Child Health

Abstract Ref Number = APCP255

Oral Presentation

QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCOLOGICAL MORBIDITY AMONG CHILDREN WITH TRANSFUSION DEPENDENT THALASSAEMIA AND THEIR PARENTS

Sachith Mettananda,Hashan Pathiraja,Ravindu Peiris,Chamila Mettananda,Anuja Premawardhena,Dayananda Bandara,Udaya de Silva University of Kelaniya University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Teaching Hospital Kurunegala, Sri Lanka Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Background : Thalassaemia is a chronic illness which requires life-long supportive care. We aim to describe quality of life and psychological morbidity among children with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia and their parents. Material : This case-control study was conducted from September to December 2017. All patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia aged 2-18 years attending three largest thalassemia centres of Sri Lanka (Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Ragama) were recruited as cases. Children without chronic diseases admitting to same hospitals for acute non-life threatening illnesses were recruited as controls. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire with validated questionnaires to measure quality of life (PedsQL 4.0 Generic core scales) and psychological morbidity (Strengths and difficulties questionnaire) of children and depressive symptoms of parents (Centre for epidemiological studies depression scale). Ethical approval was obtained from Ethics Committee of University of Kelaniya. Results : 321 (male-46.4%; mean age-9.9±4.2 years) cases and 194 (male-47.4%; mean age- 8.9±3.7 years) controls were recruited. Mean quality of life score was significantly lower in cases (72.6±12.0%) compared to controls (88.6±11.6%), (p<0.001). Prevalence of psychological issues were significantly higher among patients with thalassaemia compared to controls in emotional (17.6% vs 0%; ?2=32.8, p<0.001), conduct (18.6% vs 0.6%; ?2=35.4, p<0.001), hyperactive (9.5% vs 0%; ?2=18.9, p<0.001) and peer relationship (14.4% vs 2.5%; ?2=15.7, p<0.001) domains. Significantly higher proportion of mothers of cases reported depressive symptoms compared to controls (40.1% vs 8.9%; ?2=57.0, p<0.001). Conclusions : Patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia experience a poor quality of life and are victims of psychological and behavioural problems compared to their peers. Similarly, mothers of children with thalassaemia have higher prevalence of depression. Psychological support should be an essential component in management of thalassaemia.

Keywords: Thalassaemia Quality of Life Depression