THE PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS OF SICKLE-CELL DISEASE SUFFERERS AND THEIR METHODS OF COPING

We interviewed 170 sickle cell disease (SCD) patients (mean age 25 yea rs) with a modified version of the Frankfurter Befindlichkeitskala (FB S, 33-item) and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), wit h a view to highlighting the psychosocial issues which worry them, the way they cope with these problems, and the factors associated with th ese issues. The mean FBS score of SCD patients was comparable with tho se of insulin dependent diabetics, but significantly higher than that of non-insulin dependent diabetics. The FBS scores were significantly correlated with GHQ-12 scores. Feelings of inadequacy of social contac t were significantly associated with high FBS and GHQ scores. Some com mon complaints were: the limitations illness placed on social life; de pressive feelings; abnormal habitus; suicidal ideation during crises; and the burden of illness on the family. They frequently resorted to p rayers as a method of coping, as most had no clear ideas on how to dea l with these issues. Worries over psychosocial consequences of SCD, se em to add considerably to the burden of illness, and clinicians will o ffer better care to patients if they routinely enquire into some of th ese issues and offer health education and counselling in a group setti ng.