# A Comparison of Pain Before and After Transfusion in Adult transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) Using BPI-SF

## TL;DR

This study shows that transfusion significantly reduces pain intensity and its impact on daily life in adult patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of transfusion in reducing pain in TDT patients using the BPI-SF questionnaire.

## Key findings

- Pain intensity decreased significantly after transfusion (NRS 5 vs. 0).
- Pain interference with life also decreased significantly after transfusion (2.8 vs. 0).
- Results were statistically significant (p=0.0001).

## Abstract

Background

Pain is a complication in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). There are several mechanisms underlying pain in people with thalassemia and low hemoglobin at the end of the transfusion cycle was the most etiology. Pain can develop into chronic pain and interfere with the quality of life. The Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) can help identify pain in people with TDT. The present study aimed to compare pain before and after transfusion in adult TDT patients.

Methods

It was an analytical observational study using a cross-sectional design on adult TDT patients with pain who came to the Haemato-Oncology Clinic of Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung. This study was conducted from December 2020 to July 2021. All subjects were assisted in filling out the Indonesian version of the BPI-SF questionnaire hemoglobin levels were examined and before and after transfusion, then paired test analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Test.

Results

This study is conducted on 60 adult TDT patients with symptoms of pain. The median value of pain intensity and pain interferes with life obtained from the Indonesian version of the BPI-SF score after transfusion decreased significantly compared to before transfusion (NRS 5 vs. 0 and 2.8 vs. 0; p=0.0001).

Conclusion

There is a significant difference in pain intensity and pain interfere with life in adults with TDT before and after transfusion. It is necessary to carry out pain assessments for thalassemia patients.