Anxiety and depression in adolescents with beta thalassaemia major

Year 2025, Volume: 50 Issue: 1, 125 - 136, 31.03.2025

Defne Ay Tuncel , Sinem Yalnızoğlu Çaka , Sümeyra Topal , Can Acıpayam , Nisa Alkan , Seda Bozduman Çelebi

https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1582524

Abstract

Purpose: The course of Beta Thalassaemia Major triggers children's susceptibility to anxiety and depressive mood. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anxiety and depression in adolescents with Beta Thalassaemia Major and its relationship with hospitalisation.
Materials and Methods: This correlational case-control study was conducted with a total of 77 healthy children (case=39, control=38) with a confirmed diagnosis of major thalassaemia. The data were collected using the "Descriptive Information Form", Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale - Child Version (RCADS-CV) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale.
Results: When the comparison of the mean RCADS-CV scores according to the groups was analysed, it was found that the mean Major Depressive Disorder sub-dimension score was significantly higher in the case group. It was found that 61.5% of the children in the case group and 92.1% of the children in the control group experienced moderate depression and the difference was statistically significant. In addition, when the RCADS-CV cut-off score of 71 and above was evaluated, it was found that 12.8% of children with Beta Thalassaemia Major had a pathological picture.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of major depressive disorders in children with Beta Thalassaemia Major and hospitalisation-related depression levels in healthy children is highly significant.

Keywords

Thalassaemia, anxiety, depression, nursing care, adolescents

Beta talasemi majör tanılı ergenlerde anksiyete ve depresyon

Abstract

Amaç: Beta Talasemi Majör seyri çocuklarda anksiyete ve depresif ruh haline yatkınlığı tetikler. Bu çalışmanın amacı Beta Talasemi Majörlü ergenlerde anksiyete ve depresyon sıklığını ve bunun hastaneye yatışla ilişkisini belirlemektir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu korelasyonel vaka-kontrol çalışması, majör talasemi tanısı doğrulanmış toplam 77 sağlıklı çocukla (vaka=39, kontrol=38) yürütülmüştür. Veriler "Tanımlayıcı Bilgi Formu", Revize Çocuk Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği - Çocuk Versiyonu (RCADS-CV) ve Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon (HAD) Ölçeği kullanılarak toplandı.
Bulgular: Gruplara göre ortalama RCADS-CV puanlarının karşılaştırılması incelendiğinde, Majör Depresif Bozukluk alt boyut puanının ortalama vaka grubunda anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Vaka grubundaki çocukların %61,5'inin, kontrol grubundaki çocukların ise %92,1'inin orta düzeyde depresyon yaşadığı ve aradaki farkın istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, RCADS-CV kesme puanı 71 ve üzeri olarak değerlendirildiğinde, Beta Talasemi Majörlü çocukların %12,8'inin patolojik bir tabloya sahip olduğu bulunmuştur.
Sonuç: Beta Talasemi Majörlü çocuklarda majör depresif bozuklukların yüksek prevalansı ve sağlıklı çocuklarda hastaneye yatışla ilişkili depresyon düzeylerinin yüksek olması oldukça anlamlıdır.

Keywords

Talasemi, anksiyete, depresyon, hemşirelik bakımı, ergenler.

Ethical Statement

ETHICAL APPROVAL The study was approved by the Clinical Studies Ethics Committee of Health Science University Adana Training and Education Hospital in Türkiye (Date: 10.02.2022, Decision No: 1767) and institutional permission was obtained. The rationale of the study and the purpose for which the results would be used were explained to the adolescents participating in the study and their families, and their consent was obtained. The study adhered to the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

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Thanks

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