Evaluation of prevalence of drug dependence in beta‐thalassemic patients and its risk factors

Abstract

Objective: Beta thalassemia is a hereditary disease of hemoglobin synthesis that causes mild to severe microcytic anemia and hemosiderosis in many organs that in severe cases results in organ failure. Many of the patients need blood transfusions. Drug dependence is a recurrent and chronic problem that has both physiological and behavioral aspects.

Methods and materials: A total of 207 β thalassemic patients were randomly assigned out of 810 β thalassemic patients that referred to Shiraz Coolys Center in May–July 2005 in the south of Iran. We studied the prevalence of addiction in these patients and compared this with the normal population. We also evaluated the probable risk factors of drug dependence. There was no other study found worldwide at this time.

Results: Of these 207 patients, 19 (9.2%) patients were drug dependent and their most common motivation was acquisition of enjoyment. Among the several risk factors that were studied, sex (male), marital status (single), surgical history and family drug addiction history were found to be statistically significant (0.01<p value <0.05).

Discussion: Although the prevalence of addiction in thalassemic patients (9.2%) was nearly the same in the normal population of Fars province (10.2%) and Iran (12.5%), it still has a high prevalence and it should be considered as a psychical‐social problem. As this study was the first one done regarding this topic, we hope that in the future more studies will be conducted to help these patients to have a better lifestyle and improve life expectancy and quality of life.

• β thalassemia major
• drug dependence
• substance abuse
• Iran