Health-related quality of life and treatment adherence in tuberculosis–diabetes comorbidity in urban India

Dinesh Asokan; Anjali Mall; Geeta Pardeshi

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264108

Authors

Dinesh Asokan Department of Community Medicine, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Anjali Mall Department of Community Medicine, GMERS Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9795-5909
Geeta Pardeshi Department of Community Medicine, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6670-0235

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264108

Keywords:

Tuberculosis, Diabetes mellitus, Quality of life, TBMAS, Treatment adherence

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) form a growing syndemic that adversely affects treatment outcomes and patient well-being. While clinical consequences are well documented, patient-centred outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment adherence remain inadequately explored in high-burden settings. This study aimed to assess HRQoL and treatment adherence among patients with TB–DM comorbidity receiving anti-tubercular therapy in an urban tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with TB–DM comorbidity receiving anti-tubercular therapy. HRQoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Treatment adherence was measured using the Tuberculosis Medication Adherence Scale (TBMAS). Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The majority of participants were aged 26-40 years, male, and urban residents. Poor HRQoL was most pronounced in the psychological and environmental domains, while nearly one-third had poor physical HRQoL. Social HRQoL was impaired in a substantial proportion of participants. High-risk behaviours were common, including tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Despite high treatment adherence observed in 166 (89.2%) participants, HRQoL remained poor, particularly in the psychological [132 (71.0%)] and environmental domains [141 (75.8%)].

Conclusions: Although most participants demonstrated good treatment adherence, substantial impairment in HRQoL persisted, particularly in psychological and environmental domains.

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