THALASSAEMIC TEENAGERS' AND YOUNG ADULTS' OUTLOOK ON LIFE

Introduction: Τhalassaemia major (TM) is an inherited disease that can affect the psycho-emotional sphere of people with the disease and shape their expectations for life.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate in the literature the expectations of people suffering from thalassaemia major across the age range.Material-Methods: Recent articles and studies in English language were searched in the electronic databases PubMed, Cinahl, Google Scholar, Scopus. The keywords used were «expectations for life, thalassaemia, children, teenagers, young adult and adult».Results: The literature on the expectations experienced by people with thalassaemia major is very limited, without a specific measuring tool. The researchers concluded that when thalassaemics receive their treatment, they are able to cope with the difficulties of life that arise in adolescence or adulthood. In the last five years, a measurement tool has been developed for all age groups that can assess the level of expectations for all age groups and fulfillment for young adults and adults.Conclusion: Appropriate treatment of the positive and negative expectations felt by patients with thalassaemia major a helps to improve the standard of living of pediatric patients and their smooth development into psycho-emotionally healthy adults