Abstract

CO-EXIXSTING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PULMONARY TUBECULOSIS PATIENTS UNDER DIRECTLY OBSERVED TRATMENT SHORTCOURSE THRAPY IN COSTAL ANDHRA REGION

Pilli Sai Mounika*, Syed Mohammed, Kundurthi Chaitanya, V. Lokesh Reddy, A.M.S.Sudhakhar Babu

ABSTRACT

The present research states that level of depression and anxiety was high among TB patients which reasons for their inflated level of anxiety and depression was their fallacy about TB. They contemplate TB as a life threatening disease that had less chances of endure and cure that resulted in interruption of treatment. Other causes reported were tiresome of treatment, disturbances in their life routine and its chronicity. It is a prospective Observational Cross sectional study. The duration of the study is 6 months. Nearly 120 patients were included in the study. A questionnaire was given to the patients and it calculates the level of anxiety and depression in the patients undergoing DOTS therapy, by using a scale called HADS (hospital anxiety and depression scale) with the permission granted from the certified authority. Mean HAD scored for depression was 14.7 + 2.8 and for anxiety was 13.9+ 3.6. Final results showed that out of 120patients, 60 (50%) had severe to moderate degree of anxiety and depression, which can be attributed to a disease like TB. According to HADS scoring, 70(58%) individuals had high level, 26(22%) had moderate level whereas 24(20%) showed no signs of anxiety and depression. It can be hypothesized that TB patients diagnosed and treated in time for psychiatric co-morbidity are more likely to continue with TB treatment. However the year’s one of the main effort of reducing TB prevalence has been directed towards DOTS to show little advantage over self treatment.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Anxiety, Depression, DOTS Therapy, HAD Scale.