Sujung Park1, Maureen George2, Ja Yun Choi3. 1. Department of Nursing, Seoyeong University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. 2. School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. 3. College of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean tuberculosis (TB) patients and to identify factors associated with HRQoL. DESIGN: A longitudinal study design was employed with a six-month tracking period. SAMPLE: Fifty patients were enrolled from a single TB clinic. MEASUREMENTS: Data on physical and mental HRQoL domains, physical symptoms, self-esteem, stigma, treatment adherence and social support were collected on the day of TB diagnosis, and then again at 2- and 6-months' post-TB diagnosis. RESULTS: Mental HRQoL scores did not change over time (p = .500) although changes in the physical HRQoL significantly improved over 6 months (p < .001); these changes were small and not considered clinically meaningful. Worse physical symptoms (p < .001) but better treatment adherence (p = .006) were associated with lower physical HRQoL. Similarly, worse physical symptoms but better self-esteem (p < .001) and social support (p = .015) were associated with higher mental HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: It is important that nurses caring for TB patients understand the physical and mental impact of TB and its treatment.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean tuberculosis (TB) patients and to identify factors associated with HRQoL. DESIGN: A longitudinal study design was employed with a six-month tracking period. SAMPLE: Fifty patients were enrolled from a single TB clinic. MEASUREMENTS: Data on physical and mental HRQoL domains, physical symptoms, self-esteem, stigma, treatment adherence and social support were collected on the day of TB diagnosis, and then again at 2- and 6-months' post-TB diagnosis. RESULTS:Mental HRQoL scores did not change over time (p = .500) although changes in the physical HRQoL significantly improved over 6 months (p < .001); these changes were small and not considered clinically meaningful. Worse physical symptoms (p < .001) but better treatment adherence (p = .006) were associated with lower physical HRQoL. Similarly, worse physical symptoms but better self-esteem (p < .001) and social support (p = .015) were associated with higher mental HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: It is important that nurses caring for TB patients understand the physical and mental impact of TB and its treatment.