A Study of Severity of Depression in Thalassemia Patients

Background: Beta Thalassemia major is most common monogenic disorder in the world.. Transfusion dependent thalassemia major patients are at risk of iron overload and hence its associated complications. Thalassemia is a major sanitary problem not only for the patients and their families but also for each country’s public health systems with regard to treatment expenses including regular injections, iron chelating agents, frequent hospitalizations and other medical consistencies and they are vulnerable to, social and psychological problems. Objectives: To  determine prevalence and severity of depression in transfusion dependent Beta thalassemia major patients attending  a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was done in a tertiary care hospital. Thalassemia major patients who received  blood transfusions for 2 to 4 weeks interval in the hospital were included in this study. Clinical assessment of each child was done and psychiatric illness was diagnosed using ICD-10 DCR. Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAM-D) were used. Result: Males (80%) outnumbered females (20%) with male to female ratio of 4:1. Nearly half of the study population was aged between 10 to 12 years. Majority of the patients had one blood transfusion per month (91.43%). Out of 31 patients, 25 were males and 6 were females.  Age range was 10 -18 years with mean age of 12.45 ± 2.41 years. The prevalence of depression was 41.94 % with majority showing mild depression. Conclusion: This study helps to know the severity of the depression in β thalassemia patients who are chronically ill and have prolonged treatment. Early assessment and treatment by psychiatrist will surely help to have good psychological condition.