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Quality of life in Korean tuberculosis patients: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Park Sujung,
George Maureen,
Choi Ja Yun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12691
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , tuberculosis , longitudinal study , mental health , social support , stigma (botany) , physical health , physical therapy , health related quality of life , gerontology , psychiatry , disease , psychology , nursing , pathology , psychotherapist
Objective The purpose of this study was to examine health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean tuberculosis (TB) patients and to identify factors associated with HRQoL. Design A longitudinal study design was employed with a six‐month tracking period. Sample Fifty patients were enrolled from a single TB clinic. Measurements Data on physical and mental HRQoL domains, physical symptoms, self‐esteem, stigma, treatment adherence and social support were collected on the day of TB diagnosis, and then again at 2‐ and 6‐months’ post‐TB diagnosis. Results Mental HRQoL scores did not change over time ( p = .500) although changes in the physical HRQoL significantly improved over 6 months ( p < .001); these changes were small and not considered clinically meaningful. Worse physical symptoms ( p < .001) but better treatment adherence ( p = .006) were associated with lower physical HRQoL. Similarly, worse physical symptoms but better self‐esteem ( p < .001) and social support ( p = .015) were associated with higher mental HRQoL. Conclusions It is important that nurses caring for TB patients understand the physical and mental impact of TB and its treatment.