The influence of the cost-of-living crisis, self-efficacy, and religiosity on quality-of-life for patients with sickle cell disease

Aims:
This study examined the role of the individual impact of the cost-of-living crisis, self-efficacy, religiosity, demographic factors, and their influence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Methods:
A global online survey with 443 participants living with SCD (51.5% males and 48.8% females) was conducted. HRQoL was measured using the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12). Independent variables consisted of the individual impact of the cost-of-living crisis (ICoLC), sickle cell self-efficacy, religiosity, and demographic factors (age, gender, education, and country of residence). Quantile regression analysis was conducted.
Results:
Self-efficacy was positively associated with HRQoL, demonstrating the importance of self-efficacy in managing SCD. ICoLC was negatively associated with HRQoL, emphasising the challenges faced by individuals with SCD during the cost-of-living crisis. UK participants reported significantly higher HRQoL than US participants, suggesting national disparities. Unlike prior findings, religiosity was negatively associated with HRQoL.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the roles of self-efficacy, the cost-of-living crisis, religiosity, and demographic factors in affecting the HRQoL of individuals with SCD. Our findings suggest a need for interventions increasing self-efficacy, mitigating financial challenges resulting from the crisis, and providing tailored support for individuals with differing levels of religiosity. They also emphasise the need for region-specific healthcare delivery and support systems. Future research should explore these relationships qualitatively, to develop interventions to ameliorate HRQoL for people with SCD, regardless of where they live, improving outcomes and overall well-being during the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.