ASSESSMENT OF THE FREQUENCY OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HEALTH CENTRE. A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Ravi C. Sharma, *Dr. Dinesh Dutt Sharma, Dr. Neeraj Kanwar, Dr. Manish K Thakur and Dr. Pankaj Kanwar

ABSTRACT

Background: The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) varies in different countries, and is very high in India. There is a high prevalence of mental illnesses in TB patients. Aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of depression and anxiety among tuberculosis patients. Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study. We had investigated the co-morbidity of depression and anxiety among tuberculosis patients with reference to the gender. The study was conducted in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, DOTS centre from September 2017 to February 2018. Hundred and twenty consecutive patients of tuberculosis (82 males and 38 females) seeking treatment were enrolled in the study. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to assess the level of anxiety and depression. Results: Our results showed that 49% tuberculosis (TB) patients had moderate to severe level of depression, whereas 54% TB patients had moderate to severe level of anxiety. Female patients had significantly high prevalence of depression as compared to males (t = −2.68, P < 0.05). Similarly, prevalence of anxiety was also significantly higher in female patients (t = −3.64, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was found to be significant in the tuberculosis patients. Early detection and treatment of these psychiatric co-morbidities from tuberculosis patients may increase the treatment compliance and reduce relapse. This can improve the quality of life of patients and prognosis of the disease as well.

Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Tuberculosis.