Evaluation of Behavioral Risk Factors and Functional Disorder in Thalassemia Major Patients and Their Families, a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Aliasghar Clinical Research Development Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Students Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

3 School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Surgery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

5 Department of Pediatrics, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Thalassemia can lead to psychological and emotional problems and functional disorders in patients and their families. The present study has investigated the behavioral risk factors and functional state of patients with thalassemia major (TM) and their families. Methods: The present cross-sectional study has been conducted on 61 children with TM (case) and 61 healthy children (control) admitted to Amirkabir Hospital, Arak, Iran. In addition to the clinical, behavioral, and demographic information checklist for each person, the behavioral evaluation questionnaire was filled out for their patients and families. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of the patients in the case and control groups were 19.86 ± 9.86 (range: 5-54) and 18.50 ± 8.8 (range: 5-50), respectively. According to CBCL in children under 16 years, there were no significant differences in terms of withdrawal/depression (P=0.143), somatic complaints (P=0.07), rule-breaking behaviors (P=0.20), and aggressive behavior (P=0.28), while the attention problems (P=0.03), anxiety and depression (P=0.001) and thought problems (P=0.01) were significantly higher in these patients. In over 16-year-old patients, anxiety and depression were significantly higher than the healthy group (P=0.001). Siblings of patients didn’t show more psychological problems (P>0.05). In contrast, the anxiety and depression in mothers (P<0.0001 - P=0.02) and fathers (P=0.01 - P=0.02) of patients were significantly more than average individual’s parents. Conclusion: Thalassemia major leads to some behavior problems in patients, influencing different aspects of their lives. It is essential to provide more supportive care with psychological intervention in these patients and their parents.

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Main Subjects

References

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Canon Journal of Medicine
Volume 3, Issue 1
March 2022
Pages 19-23

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 February 2022
  • Revise Date: 12 March 2022
  • Accept Date: 30 March 2022

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