Health-Related Quality of Life in Tuberculosis Patients
Summary
Tuberculosis exerts a profound and multidimensional impact on the well-being of those affected, extending far beyond microbial eradication. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) captures physical, psychological and social domains, reflecting fatigue, pain, stigma, depression and socioeconomic hardship. Standard clinical indicators such as sputum conversion and radiographic resolution frequently overlook persistent symptoms, functional limitations and psychological distress that endure after microbiological cure. Measurement tools range from generic instruments (for example SF-36 and EQ-5D) to respiratory-specific and mental health scales, yet tuberculosis-specific HRQoL measures remain underdeveloped. Studies in diverse settings have demonstrated that unsuccessful treatment, drug resistance and comorbidities correlate with poorer outcomes for HRQoL, while successful therapy generally yields incremental improvements in physical health. Psychological burden and social isolation often recover more slowly, particularly in marginalised populations. Recognising HRQoL as a core outcome motivates holistic, patient-centred strategies—combining medical, psychological and social interventions—to meet global targets for tuberculosis control and sustainable development.
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Health-Related Quality of Life in Tuberculosis Patients publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in health-related quality of life in tuberculosis patients across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL): A multidimensional concept encompassing physical functioning, psychological state, social relationships and environmental context as perceived by patients.
EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L): A standardised, generic questionnaire assessing five dimensions of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression) each at three severity levels.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA): A long-term fungal lung disease that can follow pulmonary tuberculosis, characterised by cavities, fibrosis and systemic symptoms, detectable by elevated Aspergillus-specific IgG.
References
- A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led clinical interventions on the health-related quality of life among TB patients. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
- Prospective Evaluation of Positivity Rates of Aspergillus-Specific IgG and Quality of Life in HIV-Negative Tuberculosis Patients in Lagos, Nigeria. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2022).
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