Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Post Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Globally, tuberculosis remains an important public health problem and a major leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The term posttuberculosis lung disorder (PTLD) encompasses various manifestations after successful treatment of tuberculosis, such as respiratory symptoms, decline in respiratory function, residual radiological lesions, exercise intolerance, and reduced health­related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess the HRQOL in PTLD patients by 36­Item Short Form Health Survey. Our study was conducted on PTLD patients who completed their antituberculosis treatment and presented to the outpatient department with diagnosed PTLD or post pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 92 patients aged 18­-81 years participated in the study after giving written informed consent. Biomass exposure was statistically significant for mental health components (P < .05). Post pulmonary tuberculosis patients with obstructive airway disease showed decreased HRQOL in both physical and mental health components. Our findings revealed a high prevalence of comorbidities, and no significant association was found between physical and mental health components of HRQOL. Thus, we emphasize the need for psychological counselling, pulmonary rehabilitation, and follow­up as holistic management even after microbiological cure for post pulmonary tuberculosis and suggest early screening of HRQOL to improve people’s standard of living.

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