[Measuring and assessing the quality of life of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis]

Abstract

Objective: To measure and assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Method: QoL of 228 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 228 healty controls were marked by MOS SF-36, QLI and KPS scales, and single and multiple stepwise regression analysis were made to evaluate factors affecting QoL.

Result: The average total mark of SF-36, marks of physical functioning, role-physical, mental health, role-emotional, social functioning, vitality, bodily pain and general health were respectively 57 +/- 17, 65 +/- 28, 22 +/- 32, 61 +/- 20, 30 +/- 36, 54 +/- 27, 56 +/- 21, 65 +/- 24 and 53 +/- 15 in the pulmonary tuberculosis group, while 77 +/- 8, 84 +/- 23, 81 +/- 34, 75 +/- 18, 81 +/- 33, 83 +/- 23, 61 +/- 21, 75 +/- 24 and 72 +/- 20 in the controls. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups (all P values < 0.01). The average marks of QLI and KPS were 7.4 +/- 2.0 and 77 +/- 17 respectively in the pulmonary tuberculosis group, and significant differences were also found comparing with the controls (9.6 +/- 0.8, 97 +/- 9) (P < 0.01). There were statistically significant correlation among the total mark of SF-36 and the marks of the above 8 subdividions in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The correlation coefficients between marks of SF-36 and QLI, KPS were 0.7841, 0.8931 respectively (P < 0.001). The factors affecting the marks of SF-36 of the patients were focus size of infection, counts of white blood cells, complications, elevated ALT and duration of disease.

Conclusion: The SF-36 scale is suitable for measurement of QoL of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The QoL of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis declines. The main factors affecting the QoL of the patients are focus size of infection, counts of white blood cells, complications, elevated ALT and duration of disease.