This study was done in partnership with; Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds and National TB control Program, Pakistan.

Background and Objectives: Depression is likely to be a factor in the low global rates of successful treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) due to poor adherence to treatment. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression among patients being treated for MDR-TB in Pakistan, explore rates of depression over the course of treatment and identify risk factors for depression.

Design: This cross-sectional study analysed health care service data from 12 treatment sites following a single screening event using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression models were used to identify associations.

Results: Data were collected from 1279 patients with MDR-TB. The proportion of MDR-TB patients with depression was 42.8% (95%CI 40.1–45.5). Rates of depression varied according to duration of treatment, with the highest proportion (53.2%) found in those who were in months 10–12 of treatment. The odds of depression in women were higher than for men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.84, 95%CI 1.46–2.33). The odds of depression were higher in patients living in concrete built houses than in those living in mud-built houses (aOR 1.37, 95%CI 1.03–1.82).

Conclusion: Depression is common in MDR-TB patients, and should be screened for and treated within MDR-TB treatment programmes.

URL: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2018/00000022/00000007/art00012;jsessionid=e1eqkadb2doid.x-ic-live-0