Examining the Predictive Effect of Life Expectancy on Quality of Life and Mental Suffering Among Patients with Hemophilia

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hemophilia is a chronic bleeding disorder that creates numerous difficulties in various aspects of patients’ lives. This study aimed at examining the predictive effect of life expectancy on quality of life and mental suffering among patients with hemophilia. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, using the convenience sampling method, 70 patients were selected among all patients with hemophilia referred to Afzalipour hospital of Kerman and the Zahedan hemophilia society, in 2016. The variables were assessed using the life expectancy questionnaire (Hallajian, 2010), quality of life inventory (Ware and Sherbourne, 1992), and perception of suffering scale (Schulz et al., 2010). The data were analyzed using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simple regression analysis. Results: The results indicated that the triple dimensions of mental suffering were significantly and negatively correlated with life expectancy. Additionally, among all the dimensions of quality of life, vitality and fatigue, emotional health, and social functioning were significantly and positively related to life expectancy. The results of the regression analysis revealed that life expectancy was able to predict emotional health, social functioning, and vitality and fatigue. In addition, life expectancy was able to significantly and negatively predict the triple dimensions of mental suffering. Conclusions: According to the obtained results, it could be inferred that life expectancy significantly influences mental suffering and quality of life among patients with hemophilia and it can be applied as a method for decreasing these patients’ mental suffering and promoting their quality of life.