The Effect of Biopsychosocial Variables in Fatigue in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the biopsychosocial variables affecting fatigue in patients with hemoglobinopathies. Methods: 102 patients undergoing transfusion treatment from one hospital in Athens, Greece participated in the study. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), quality of life with the Euro5D thermometer as self-perceived health and psychological variables with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS21. Results: 63 were females (61,4%) and 39 males (38,6%). The mean age of the sample was 41.7±9.2 years, while the majority of participants were patients with a diagnosis of homozygous ?-Thalassemia (81.4%). Multivariate analysis revealed 6 independent models for each dimension of fatigue, while every one of the five dimensions of MFI as well the total score of the inventory, revealed a different model of correlations with mixed variables, related with disease complications, adherence to treatment, sex, the self-perceived quality of life, as well as the qualitative characteristics of fatigue related with disease complications. Conclusions: Fatigue has been identified as a very common symptom in patients with thalassemia with many variables affecting it in this population. Our results broadens the evidence regarding fatigue in hemoglobinopathies and leads us to the need for distinguishing the etiologies leading to fatigue in hemoglobinopathies since it is an important factor affecting HPQoL. Longitudinal studies are needed in order to understand the path of fatigue and the factors influencing the condition.