Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores vary with treatment and may identify potential defaulters during treatment of tuberculosis

Introduction
Nigeria ranks third among the 22 high-burden TB countries in the world. With the availability of effective treatment strategies, and more patients surviving the disease, assessment of Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) has become imperative to assist with patient evaluation of measured outcomes and thus improve morbidity. Literature is scarce on assessment and impact of chemotherapy on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for patients with tuberculosis.
Aim
This study evaluates the variation in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in pulmonary TB patients during the intensive phase of treatment.
Methods
We recruited patients with pulmonary TB (PTB), from 3 different TB clinics across Ife Ijesha Zone, Osun State, Nigeria. Consenting patients were administered Short Form-36 HRQoL questionnaire at recruitment and at the end of intensive phase of treatment. HRQoL scores were compared at these two-time points, the degrees of changes were calculated and relationships with some. Directly Observed Therapy-Short (DOTS) course outcome measures were obtained. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with greatest change in HRQoL scores.
Results
Of the 130 recruited patients, we analysed data for 126 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 36.7(SD15.5). The overall mean HRQoL score obtained at enrolment was 43.18 (SD 17.2) and 60.22 (SD19.83) at end of 2 months; mean change =17.04 p<0.001). The least change was on the emotional well-being domain (mean change = 4.24, p=0.05). Predictor of significant change in HRQoL scores were previous history of TB, HIV status and TB severity, p<0.05 each. High physical functioning score was a strong predictor of defaulters (OR = 5.3; 95%CI: 2.11-9.05, p = 0.01).
Conclusion
Emotional domain is least affected by PTB while younger patients with no physical impairment are more likely to default treatment. Various aspects of HRQoL can be a useful tool for patient’s evaluation and outcome prediction.