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

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 ۶۱ children with TM (case) and ۶۱ 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 ۱۹.۸۶ ± ۹.۸۶ (range: ۵-۵۴) and ۱۸.۵۰ ± ۸.۸ (range: ۵-۵۰), respectively. According to CBCL in children under ۱۶ years, there were no significant differences in terms of withdrawal/depression (P=۰.۱۴۳), somatic complaints (P=۰.۰۷), rule-breaking behaviors (P=۰.۲۰), and aggressive behavior (P=۰.۲۸), while the attention problems (P=۰.۰۳), anxiety and depression (P=۰.۰۰۱) and thought problems (P=۰.۰۱) were significantly higher in these patients. In over ۱۶-year-old patients, anxiety and depression were significantly higher than the healthy group (P=۰.۰۰۱). Siblings of patients didn’t show more psychological problems (P>۰.۰۵). In contrast, the anxiety and depression in mothers (P<۰.۰۰۰۱ - P=۰.۰۲) and fathers (P=۰.۰۱ - P=۰.۰۲) 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.

Keywords:

Beta-Thalassemia Major , mental disorders , Behavioral problems , Family