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Post-Transplant Events

Quality of life in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia after hematopoietic SCT

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 42, pages 319–327 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, we compared the quality of life (QOL) in transfusion-dependent thalassemic patients who survived matched sibling hematopoietic SCT (HSCT, n=24) with patients treated conventionally with transfusion and iron chelation (n=74). WHOQOL-BREF(HK) and PedsQL questionnaires were administered to patients aged >18 years and 5–12 years, respectively. Patients aged 12–18 years received both questionnaires. WHOQOL-BREF(HK) revealed post transplant patients rated overall health better than those treated conventionally (score 3.67 vs 3.06, P=0.01). They are less dependent on medical aids (3.87 vs 2.96, P=0.006), having higher activity level (4.00 vs 3.36, P=0.026) and better personal relationships (4.13 vs 3.69, P=0.014). Physical health domain score was better (75.20 vs 63.94, P=0.007). These differences remained significant after adjustment for comorbidities. PedsQL revealed post transplant patients rated better for running (3.53 vs 2.72, P=0.001) and sports (3.20 vs 2.64, P=0.038), even after adjustment for comorbidities, but were less satisfied for school absence to attend hospital (2.53 vs 3.29, P=0.03). Post transplant patients were significantly more likely to consider marriage (100 vs 75.7%, P=0.033), but not childbearing (66.7 vs 51.4%, P=0.28). In conclusion, transplanted thalassemic patients enjoy better QOL, mainly in physical health, compared with conventionally treated patients. This information is important to patients considering HSCT.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by research fund from Hong Kong Children's Thalassemia Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    D K L Cheuk, A S P Mok, A K S Chiang, S Y Ha, Y L Lau & G C F Chan

  2. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, China

    A C W Lee

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  1. D K L Cheuk
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  2. A S P Mok
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Correspondence to D K L Cheuk.

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Cheuk, D., Mok, A., Lee, A. et al. Quality of life in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia after hematopoietic SCT. Bone Marrow Transplant 42, 319–327 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.165

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