A Comparison survey of the Cognitive function in brief Wechsler intelligence scale between people with and without Beta minor thalassemia

ntroduction: The study on effects of various events of physical and Biological-Chemical abnormality on behavior and cognitive abilities in different areas has always been an important issue. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of minor beta-thalassemia patients with normal people, in the short forms of Wechsler test. Methods: In This cross-sectional study, a sample including 30 individuals with minor beta-thalassemia and 30 normal individuals Whithin age of 18 to 56 years old was selected. The groups were mathched based on demographic and individual characteristics. Wechsler test including calculation, words, alignment of images and designing by cubs was performed on both groups. The results were analysed by SPSS, using t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that the average performance of normal individuals for the sub-tests of computation and words and for sub-test of alignment of images is higher than the performance of individuals with minor beta-thalassemia. Also in the overall verbal scale (including sub-tests of calculation and words) the average of performance and ability of the normal individuals was higher than the individuals with minor beta-thalassemia, while in the overall non-verbal/practical scale (including sub-tests of alignment of images and designing by cubes) no significant difference was found between the two groups. The results showed that the average of performance of men and women in normal individuals and individuals with minor beta-thalassemia in the sub-tests of calculations and words has a significant difference, while in sub-tests of alignment of images and designing by cubes for four groups no significant difference between performances was found. Conclusion: Overall results of this study showed that people with minor beta-thalassemia, can face lack of abilities such as: fluency in talking, ability of abstract thinking, verbal reasoning, verbal conceptualization, ability to chain sequences and understanding and prediction of social situations. Whether such a reduction of abilities is caused by neurological and neurophysiologic changes or through the psychological effects on individuals with minor beta-thalassemia, will require further investigation.