Quality of life: Transfusion dependent thalassemia vs non-transfusion dependent thalassemia

Although the improvements in the treatment and management of thalassemia patients in new years lead to the improved survival and quality of life (QOL) in this group of patients, QOL is still is an important dimension of care in thalassemic patients (1). WHO defines QOL as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns” (2). Thalassemia is a chronic disease needs life-long care with multiple physical, mental and social complications that affect QOL in patients. The most important factors which affect QOL in thalassemia are: effects of the disease on family, skeletal and face changes, frequent blood transfusion and drug infusion, sexual impairment and infertility, heart and liver disease as well as endocrine disorders, anxiety and low life expectancy (3).