A Cross-Sectional Study on Pain and Quality of Life of Adult Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia in a Tertiary Hospital In Malaysia

Pain has emerged as a potential complication in thalassemia but its management has not been optimized. This study assessed the prevalence of pain and its association with QoL in adult patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023 in thalassemia clinic of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang. Adult patients who have been treated with iron chelators were recruited. Data collection was performed using the Brief Pain Inventory and tranfusion-dependent quality of life questionnaire. A total of 83 adult patients with TDT were recruited. This study found that 32% of the study participants had pain within the past 24 hours and the average pain score was moderate. The overall score for emotional health and physical health demonstrates a significant lower score compared to other QoL domains (p = 0.00). A significant association between pain and QoL was observed (p = 0.01). Non HbE β thalassemia, taking oral deferasirox and fracture history were found to be factors influencing pain. No variable was independently associated with higher QoL, regardless at the age of diagnosis, baseline ferritin, severe MRI T2* liver results, taking oral deferiprone or deferasirox. With the identification of affecting variables, appropriate treatment plan may be formulated to reduce pain and improve the QoL of thalassemia patients.