Shabir Ahmad Dar1, Naveed Nazir Shah2, Zaid Ahmad Wani3, Deeba Nazir3. 1. Departments of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Srinagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir India. Electronic address: shabir1055@gmail.com. 2. Departments of Chest Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir India. 3. Departments of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Srinagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is a contagious, airborne infection that destroys when M. tuberculosis primarily attacks the lungs. PTB is curable with an early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Stigmatization and negative emotions resulting from the illness could result in long term impairment of patients psychological well being which may result in work absenteeism resulting in loss of productivity and reduced monthly income. METHODS: This was a prospective study which was conducted over a period of one and half year. A total of 198 patients were recruited for the study. Quality Of Life (QOL) was assessed at baseline and at the end of intensive phase. For QOL WHO based QOLBREF was used. RESULTS: In the present study patients scored lowest in the baseline physical (8.36 ± 1.60) followed by the psychological domain (10.40 ± 1.72) however at the end of intensive phase both physical (11.98 ± 1.70) and psychological (12.75 ± 1.) domains improved very much and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HRQOL is significantly reduced in patients with PTB, and that it improves rapidly and significantly with DOTS-based intensive phase of treatment. Special focus on reduction of stigmatization should be given in the management of TB to reduce the psychological distress.
BACKGROUND:Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is a contagious, airborne infection that destroys when M. tuberculosis primarily attacks the lungs. PTB is curable with an early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Stigmatization and negative emotions resulting from the illness could result in long term impairment of patients psychological well being which may result in work absenteeism resulting in loss of productivity and reduced monthly income. METHODS: This was a prospective study which was conducted over a period of one and half year. A total of 198 patients were recruited for the study. Quality Of Life (QOL) was assessed at baseline and at the end of intensive phase. For QOL WHO based QOLBREF was used. RESULTS: In the present study patients scored lowest in the baseline physical (8.36 ± 1.60) followed by the psychological domain (10.40 ± 1.72) however at the end of intensive phase both physical (11.98 ± 1.70) and psychological (12.75 ± 1.) domains improved very much and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HRQOL is significantly reduced in patients with PTB, and that it improves rapidly and significantly with DOTS-based intensive phase of treatment. Special focus on reduction of stigmatization should be given in the management of TB to reduce the psychological distress.
Authors: Antonio Baldassarre; Gabriele Giorgi; Federico Alessio; Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli; Giulio Arcangeli; Nicola Mucci Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-31 Impact factor: 3.390