EQ-5D-3L-Derived Health-Related Quality of Life Among Tuberculosis Patients in Sri Lanka

Tuberculosis is a public health problem globally and as well in Sri Lanka. By calling for the health-related quality of life assessments, attention is focused on the problems experienced by the patients. The objective of this study was to assess how tuberculosis patients have reported health-related quality of life in Sri Lanka. This cross-sectional study enrolled 552 new pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Each participant completed the EQ-5D-3L in a face-to-face interview at the initiation, at the end of 2 months and at 6 months of medication completion. Data derived from EQ-5D-3L reported problems at three levels in each dimension and the EQ-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) described the quality of life as a single index score. Utility values were calculated using the Sri Lankan EQ-5D-3L value set and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated by multiplying the medication period with the utility value difference between the initiation of medication and the medication completion at 6 months. Problems related to all dimensions of health-related quality of life were decreased during the medication. The mean EQ-VAS score at initiation was 59.64 (SD = 21.6) and increased up to 78.0 (SD = 16.1) and 83.4 (SD = 16.5) at end of 2 months and at end of 6 months, respectively, which was significant at each phase of medication (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.55, F = 187.33, P < 0.001). The mean QALYs gained during the medication was 0.05 (SD = 0.07). Health-related quality of life improved significantly among tuberculosis patients with medication.