Case control study of psychosocial morbidity in beta thalassemia major

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and the spectrum of psychosocial morbidity and its correlation with various social and disease-related factors in children with beta thalassemia major.

Study design: Sixty children with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia major were included in the study group who fulfilled these inclusion criteria: 1) age 5 to 15 years; 2) both parents alive and living together; 3) negative for human immunodeficiency virus; and 4) no family history of any chronic illness or psychological illness. The control group consisted of 60 children of matched age group and social background. A semi-structured interview and 2 preformed questionnaires (Pediatric Symptom Checklist [PSC] and Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule [CPMS]) were used to assess psychosocial morbidity.

Results: The mean score of the PSC was 11.63 +/- 3.79 (range, 7-24) in children with thalassemia, compared with 5.78 +/- 2.572 (range, 2-13) in the control group (P < .001). The mean score of the CPMS was 11.63 +/- 3.6 (range, 6-25) compared with 6.08 +/- 2.8 (range, 1-14) in the study and the control group, respectively (P < .001). Among the children with thalassemia, 54% had a mean CPMS score > or = 10 (which is considered significant for psychopathological disorders), compared with 8.3% in the control group (P < .001).

Conclusion: Children with thalassemia have significantly higher psychosocial morbidity. Psychosocial aspects need to be addressed in the overall treatment of children with thalassemia to prevent the development of clinically manifest psychological disease.