Prevalence of Depression in Patients with MDR TB

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Despite being preventable, treatable, and curable, tuberculosis (TB) remains aleading cause of mortality worldwide, with 95% of deaths occurring in low-income countries. There islimited information on the joint effect of TB and depression on health status of general population. The aimof this study is to assess the prevalence of Depression in patients of MDR TB and to study the demographicconstitution and related factors of the patients with MDR TB.Methods: This study was cross sectional survey conducted to study the prevalence of Depression in patientsof MDR TB referred for psychiatric evaluation. Data was collected over a period of 3 month(July 18 toSeptember 18) and study setting was the outpatient Department of Psychiatry at Mahatma Gandhi MissionsMedical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai.Results: It was found that depression was found in 52 % of the patients ranging from mild to moderate andsevere depression using PHQ 9 questionnaireConclusion: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common among PTB patients, especially those withMDR TB. Screening for depression and other psychiatric illness is essential for identifying patients whorequire further psychosocial assessment and support.