A study of the impact of tuberculosis on the quality of life and the effect after treatment with DOTS

Abstract

A prospective study was conducted on 90 patients of tuberculosis at 2 directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) cum microscopy centers in an urban area of Delhi. The WHOQOL-BREF (Hindi) questionnaire was used to assess the QOL at the onset of treatment, after 3 months of treatment under DOTS, and at completion of treatment. Patients with tuberculosis had significantly lower mean scores than controls for overall QOL. The most affected domains were physical and psychological. Women scored significantly better than men in the physical and environmental domains. Overall QOL scores were lowest for category II and significantly lower for the psychological and social domains. The mean scores after treatment were significantly lower than controls for overall QOL, the social and environmental domains. The DOTS regimen improves the QOL and its domains; however, they remain significantly affected compared to the healthy controls.