Health-related quality of life among hemophilic adult patients from Iraq/Duhok

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A case − control study was carried out to evaluate the health-related quality of life of adult hemophilic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All registered hemophilia cases (40 cases, 36 hemophilia A and 4 hemophilia B) at Jin Blood Center in Duhok/Iraq as well as 40 normal age-matched healthy male individuals were assessed using the medical outcome study “MOS-SF (version 1.0)” so called RAND 36-item health survey 1.0, that assess eight health status scales namely: physical functioning, role-limitation due to physical health, role-limitation due to emotional problem, vitality (energy/fatigue), emotion well-being, bodily pain, social functioning, and general health. RESULTS: The study included eight patients with mild hemophilia, 18 patients with moderate hemophilia, and 14 patients with severe hemophilia, with ages range from 17 to 57 years with the mean age of 27.85 years (±1.65). Patients with severe hemophilia were diagnosed significantly at earlier age compared with those with mild hemophilia. The study confirmed significantly reduced quality of life (QoL) in all 8 assessed areas particularly among severely affected patients with a P value consistently <0.001. The most affected domain was the role limitation due to physical health at 22.56% and emotional well-being at 32.71. All assessed areas were significantly preserved if early prophylaxis initiated. Other factors that were linked significantly with diminished QoL include the development of hemophilic arthropathy. The factors that did not show significant impact included positive viral hepatitis markers, presence of life-threatening bleedings, socioeconomic state, and positive family history. CONCLUSION: Hemophilic patient displayed significant impairment of QoL, particularly after the development of arthropathy and restriction of physical activity and can be preserved with early prophylactic therapy.