Impact of Thalidomide Addition on Health-Related Quality of Life in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients: A Prospective Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the impact of adding thalidomide on health-related quality of life in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia receiving blood transfusion for at least two years, using SF-36 questionnaire. Study Design: Prospective cohort study with before-after design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Hematology, Peshawar Institute of Medical Sciences, from April-2025 to March-2026. Methodology: A total of 80 patients aged ≥10 years with β-thalassemia major and receiving regular blood transfusions since at least past two years were included in this study and thalidomide was added to standard therapy at a dose of 2–5 mg/kg/day. Health-related quality of life was assessed for each patient using the validated SF-36 questionnaire before initiation of therapy and after 6 months of initiating the therapy. The primary outcome of the study was improvement in health-related quality of life after 6 months of thalidomide treatment. Hemoglobin level, transfusion interval, and monthly transfusion requirement were also compared before and after treatment as secondary outcomes.