THE INVESTIGATION OF OLFACTORY FUNCTION RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH TRANSFUSION DEPENDENT BETA THALASSEMIA

ABSTRACT
Objective: Transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDBT) patients may be at risk for psychological symptoms due to chronic disease, which can burden their lives. Sense of smell problems may also accompany chronic disease and lead to qualityof life problems. his study examined the relationship between olfactory function, quality of life and psychological symptoms in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients.
Materials and Methods: Forty-six TDBT patients followed up at the Thalassemia Center of Istanbul Medical Faculty were included in the study. The 12-item selfreported olfactory function and olfactory quality of life assessment questionnaire (ASOF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were used to screen olfactory function capacity, olfactory-related quality of life and psychological symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (v23) software.
Results: The mean age of the 46 participants was 32.5±7.3 years. The overall olfactory capacity score was 8.8±1.3, the specific olfactory capacity score was 4.6±0.5 and the odor-related quality of life score was 4.7±0.4. The HAD scale showed that 22% of the patients had anxiety symptoms and 65% had depression symptoms. There was a significant negative correlation between anxiety and depression scores and general olfactory capacity (p=0.02). Patients with depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed lower olfactory capacity (p<0.05). Olfactory quality of life was also significantly reduced in patients with depression symptoms (p<0.05). Patients receiving deferasirox (DFX) showed better olfactory capacity (p<0.01).
Conclusion: A significant negative correlation was found between olfactory capacity and anxiety and depression scores. Patients with symptoms of depression showed a decrease in quality of life related to olfactory function. Chelation type seems to be associated with olfactory capacity.
Keywords: Anxiety, beta thalassemia, quality of life, depression, olfactory dysfunction