Relationship between socioeconomic status and quality of life in Haemophilia

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between quality of life in haemophilia and socioeconomic status of patient has not been well studied. Many of the previous studies were present on health related quality of life but only a few have enlighten the relationship between health related quality of life and socioeconomic status. Objective: To find the effect of socioeconomic status on quality of life in Haemophilia patients. Method: The study was conducted in S.M.S Medical college from April 2012 to November 2013. We included 88 patients in our study. Socioeconomic status of the patients wasassessed by Kuppuswamy scale and evaluation of quality of life was done by WHO SF-36 scale. Comparison of SF 36 and Kuppuswamy scale was done by appropriate statistical methods. Results: Out of 88 patients, 80 patients were having Haemophilia Type A and 8 patients were having Haemophilia Type B.Average age of patients was 21± 9.9 yrs. Spearman rank order test was done for forcomparison of socioeconomic status and Physical Component Summary(PCS), Mental Component Summary(MCS) of quality of life . We found a positive correlation between socioeconomic status and quality of life. Conclusion: Positive correlation was found between socioeconomic status and physical and mental component of quality of life. As we proceed from poor to upper 1 we found an increase in quality of life in haemophilia patients with best quality of life in upper 1 and worst quality of life in lower group. Availability of free Factor for Haemophiliawill benefit the lower strata patients and help them in improving quality of life.