Abstract
Background
Research that focuses on the health‐related quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease remains challenging in Saudi Arabia.
Aims
This study aims to assess the health‐related quality of life of sickle cell disease patients and determine the factors that contribute to a poorer quality of life in the Asir Region or southern region, compared with other regions in Saudi Arabia.
Methods
Sickle cell disease patients attending Asir General Hospital and Abu Aresh General Hospital were consecutively invited to enrol in the study from November 2019 to April 2020. The Medical Outcomes Study (SF‐36) questionnaire was used to assess the health‐related quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease.
Results
This study included 107 individuals (22 males and 85 females) with sickle cell disease, with a mean age of 25 ± 7.851. The mean physical health summary and mental health summary were 60.6 ± 23.4 and 52.12 ± 22.37, respectively. Exercise and family support affected the physical health, mental health and vitality scores positively, while swelling and fever had a negative effect on physical and mental health. Furthermore, more educated patients demonstrated significantly better mental health than uneducated or less educated patients (P = .031).
Conclusion
Patients with sickle cell disease exhibited a poor health‐related quality of life. Interventions such as a comprehensive center for sickle cell disease should consider improvements in health‐related quality of life important outcomes