A Review on Quality of Life in Tuberculosis Patients

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) bacteria spread through the air when individuals with TB disease in their lungs or throat cough, speak, laugh, sing, or sneeze. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent. As per the information provided by the World Health Organization, the incidence of TB cases is on the rise among patients in India due to the impact of physical, social, emotional, psychological, and economic factors, as well as treatment modalities aiming to improve patient’s quality of life (QOL). The bacteria are highly contagious, easily transmitting from one infected person to another, and affect the QOL. Search strategies through PubMed and Google Scholar are used. This article is written in English only. The QOL in TB is primarily affected by economic, social, and psychological distress, major factors influencing it. Health impacts depend on illness severity, anxiety, depression, loss of community and family support, as well as the type of treatment. TB patients undergo treatments such as directly observed treatment short-course with prescribed drugs. To address the situation, the government has implemented measures, including guidelines like the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program. The Nikshay digital portal offers comprehensive TB information. Public authorities and program administrators are urged to enhance cultural and social initiatives along with educational programs to address QOL impairment. Additional incentives for patients are considered crucial to augment these efforts. The primary objective of this review is to comprehensively comprehend how TB exerts an impact on the holistic QOL, encompassing physical, mental, and social dimensions. Also to identify the challenges faced by TB patients, evaluate the effectiveness of the various interventions to improve the treatment modality, and also QOL of TB patients. Increase awareness among health-care providers, the whole community, and policymakers about the broad impact of TB.