RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Quality of life among children with beta-thalassemia major treated in Western Saudi Arabia JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1281 OP 1286 VO 34 IS 12 A1 Mohammed D. Ayoub A1 Suhaib A. Radi A1 Abdulrahman M. Azab A1 Abdulrahman A. Abulaban A1 Abdulrahman H. Balkhoyor A1 Seif-eleslam W. Bedair A1 Soad K. Aljaouni A1 Jameela A. Kari YR 2013 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/34/12/1281.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life among children and adolescents with thalassemia major.METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia major who attended the Day Care Unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from October 2012 to February 2013 were surveyed. The questions highlighted 4 health status scales, namely physical functioning (PF), emotional functioning (EF), school performance (SC), and social functioning (SF). Scores were calculated for each patient and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.RESULTS: We recruited 46 children (60.9% males). The median age of the sample was 12 years (range, 2-18 years). Most patients (84.8%) had 3 weekly blood transfusions. The mean±SD physical functioning (PF) score was 57.2±25.9; the EF score was 74.1±20.3, SF score was 78.5±24, and SC score was 54.3±24.2. The PF score was significantly lower in patients with a family history of thalassemia (p=0.003), and in those whose families had low incomes (p=0.049). Conversely, the SF score was significantly higher in school-educated patients (p=0.01).CONCLUSION: The quality of life of thalassemic children is affected by multiple factors, such as family income and a family history of thalassemia. Education appeared to increase patient functionality. Supportive measures could improve the quality of life in thalassemic patients.