Common Mental Disorders and Its Associated Factors among Thalassemic Patients

Background: Thalassemia is a common genetic disorder among Asian population. The objective of this study is to determine the common mental disorders among thalassemic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in different thalassemic centers across Pakistan. A total 250 study participants were selected through multistage stratified sampling technique. A structured and validated questionnaires was used. Chi-square test used to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics with mental disorders. Results: Among study participants, 16%, 20%, and 5% suffered from severe anxiety, depression, and psychosis disorder, respectively. Those patients living without parents had more likely associated with depression, anxiety and psychosis disorders. these patients also had more frequent need to blood transfusion. Conclusion: Prevalence of common mental disorders highest among thalassemic patients. There is need to screening of mental disorders among the thalassmic patients and they referred to psychiatry clinic for early management.