Determinants of Psychosocial Health-related Quality of Life of Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in a Nigerian Setting

BACKGROUND: With improved understanding of disease mechanism in sickle cell disorder, many persons living with sickle cell disease (SCD) are surviving unto adulthood. There is a growing concern that SCD may impair the psychosocial health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with a resultant lack of psychosocial stability and integration. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of psychosocial quality of life (QoL) among adults with SCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of adults with SCD. A multidimensional self-administered instrument, prevalidated for use in adults with chronic disease, was used. It consisted of 31 items that assessed physical function, physical and emotional role function, bodily pain, vitality, social function, mental health, and general health within 2 weeks prior to the time of survey. Questionnaires were administered to adults with sickle cell anemia who presented for their routine visit to the Sickle Cell Clinic at the Hematology Clinic in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, or during sickle cell support group meetings. Psychosocial HRQoL was the primary outcome measured. Sociodemographic features such as marital status, gender, educational qualification, and SCD were the primary independent variables of interest. RESULTS: A total of I16 adults with SCD were participated in the study. After adjusting for marital status, gender, and educational qualification of adults with SCD, gender and marital status did not significantly affect psychosocial HRQoL (P = 0.619 and P = 0.146), respectively, while educational status significantly affected their HRQoL (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with SCD have impaired psychosocial HRQoL. There is a need to upscale patient-focused interventions to improve self-esteem and overall QoL.