Anxiety and Depression in Tuberculosis Can Create Impact on Quality of Life of Patient

Objective: Despite TB being a major burden in terms of nation’s health, social life and economy and growth, it has to be considered for the psychological effects that it bears on individual life. The resulting drastic consequences showing as poor treatment compliance, increasing Mycobacterium strain resistance to first line anti TB drugs, declining health outcome etc. Our study had determined to take a step in revealing a more competent approach in getting a world free of tuberculosis, by estimating the prevalence of psychiatric co morbidities in patients with TB and to comprehend their effects on patient’s quality of life. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety in tuberculosis and its influence on individual perception of well being in patients attending outpatient clinic in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: A total of 140 subjects were addressed, 70 of each TB and control. “Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale” (HAD) and “Flanagan Quality of Life scale” was used to assess anxiety and depression and quality of life in these two populations respectively. Result: About 37.1% patients diagnosed with TB were labeled as having anxiety and depression according to HAD scale. However the study has shown that the area of an individual life that experienced dramatic effects included perception towards health, relationship with partner, parents, sibling, friends, work as in job or in home, participation in society, attitude towards learning and increasing awareness, understanding about one’s strength and weaknesses and expressing oneself creatively. Conclusion: Parameters of quality of life that do play a key role in establishing quality including perception relating to health, relationships with spouse, siblings or friend, occupational role and recreation both participatory as well as passive; were found to be dramatically influenced by TB. This entirely enlightens the significance of timely counseling and health education in TB control program for alleviation of mental and social suffering seen in such a high rise.