Research Article, J Womens Health Issues Care Vol: 5 Issue: 1
Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life: A Survey of Saudis with SCD
| Anwar E. Ahmed1,2*, Ahmed S. Alaskar1,2,3, Donna K. McClish4, Yosra Z. Ali3, Ahmad M. Al-Suliman5, Mohammed H. Aldughither6, May Anne Mendoza2, Hafiz Malhan7 | |
| 1King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| 2King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| 3King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| 4Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA | |
| 5King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia | |
| 6National Anti-Corruption Commission, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| 7King Fahad Hospital Central, Jazan, Saudi Arabia | |
| Corresponding author : Anwar E. Ahmed, MSc., Ph.D Director of Research Unit Associate Professor, Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, MC 2350, P.O.Box 22490 Riyadh, 11426, Saudi Arabia Tel: 00966114299999 Ext. 95415 E-mail: ahmedan@ngha.med.sa; ahmeda5@vcu.edu |
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| Received: January 20, 2015 Accepted: March 07, 2016 Published: March 12, 2016 | |
| Citation: Ahmed AE, Alaskar S, McClish DK, Ali YZ, Al-Suliman AM, et al.(2016) Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life: A Survey of Saudis with SCD. J Womens Health, Issues Care 5:1 doi:10.4172/2325-9795.1000219 |
Abstract
Context: The literature provides limited evidence of the quality of life (QoL) distinctions between Saudi Arabian male and female patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Objectives: To compare SCD complications, symptoms, and individual items in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) between Saudi adult males and females. Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on 629 Saudi adults with SCD who attended King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf and King Fahad Central Hospital in Jazan.
Results: Gender differences were noted in terms of SCD-related complications, symptoms, daily activity, and pain. Saudi females with SCD reported significantly more fever (66.8% vs. 54.8%, P=0.003), more swelling (59.2% vs. 38.9%, P=0.001), and more frequent blood transfusion (88.5% vs. 80.6%, P=0.009). Males reported more physical exercising than females (41% vs. 23%, P=0.001), and having less family support (89.6% vs. 96.3%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported significantly higher percentages of daily activity limitations in lifting or carrying groceries (66.7% vs. 58%, P=0.031), climbing one flight of stairs (63.5% vs. 53.6%, P=0.016), and walking the length of one block (59.2% vs. 42.5%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported a higher percentage of bodily pain (94.3% vs. 87.1%, P=0.004). Conclusion: The study reveals that Saudi females with SCD experience SCD-related complications, symptoms, and pain differently than Saudi males with SCD. According to our data, females reported more limitations in daily activity, more pain, and less physical activity, than males. An interventional program is needed to address QoL among Saudi females with SCD.
