Reduced Health-Related Quality of Life is Associated with Depression Among Survivors of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Reduced Health-Related Quality of Life is Associated with Depression Among Survivors of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Sruthi Selvakumar, M.S., MS-II, NSU College of Allopathic Medicine Shruti Chaturvedi, M.S., MBBS, Department of Hematology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine ---- Abstract Body Word Count: 250 words Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening blood disorder characterized by episodes of microvascular thrombosis and ischemic organ damage. TTP has long-term sequelae such as higher mortality1,2, neurocognitive impairment3, depression4, and cerebrovascular disease5, and its impact on survivors’ psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) is underrecognized6. We conducted this cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of depression and reduced HR-QOL among TTP survivors. Methods: Twenty-six adults with TTP completed two validated self-administered questionnaires: SF-36 for HR-QOL and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to extract themes regarding patients’ perspectives. Results: 38% reported depression (BDI-II>13). The participants’ mean SF-36 score for each domain was lower than the reference. This difference was statistically significant for six of the eight domains: physical functioning (p Conclusion: TTP survivors have high rates of reduced HR-QOL, which is associated with depression. Our results highlight the need for additional research on determinants of reduced HR-QOL in TTP survivors. Ongoing research will evaluate the impact of TTP-related neurocognitive deficits on depression and HR-QOL. Research supported by Hemostasis Thrombosis Research Society’s Student Research Award ---- Keywords: TTP, Thrombotic microangiopathy, depression, health-related quality of life References: [1] Deford, C.C., et al., Multiple major morbidities and increased mortality during long-term follow-up after recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood, 2013. 122(12): p. 2023-9; quiz 2142. [2] George, J.N., TTP: long-term outcomes following recovery. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 2018. 2018(1): p. 548-552. [3] Falter, T., et al., Depression and cognitive deficits as long-term consequences of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Transfusion, 2017. 57(5): p. 1152-1162. [4] Chaturvedi, S., et al., Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in survivors of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Thromb Res, 2017. 151: p. 51-56. [5] Cataland, S.R., et al., Evidence of persistent neurologic injury following thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Am J Hematol, 2011. 86(1): p. 87-9. [6] Lewis, Q.F., et al., Long-term deficits in health-related quality of life after recovery from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Transfusion, 2009. 49(1): p. 118-24.