Psychiatric morbidities in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Aims and objectives: Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem in India. Psychiatric illnesses are common subsequent to tubercular infection. The emergent stress contributes to psychiatric morbidity. The aim of the study was to find out the associated psychiatric co-morbidities in patients of tuberculosis so that effective comprehensive management of physical and mental health of these patients can be planned to have a better outcome. Methodology: Hundred patients, between age ranges of 20 to 60 years of confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were taken into study for evaluation of presence of associated psychiatric morbidities. The diagnosis was made according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and severity was assessed on the basis of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test, t-test, p-value for significance, and correlation co-efficient for correlation between different variables. Result: Male:female ratio was 7:3. The mean age of study group was 36.66 (±14.02) years and majority (66%) of the patients belonged to lower socioeconomic group. Psychiatric morbidities detected were major depressive disorder (84%), brief psychotic disorder (six per cent), and generalized anxiety disorder (two per cent). Conclusion: Major depressive disorder is the most common psychiatric morbidity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The evaluation of mental health of patients of tuberculosis must be done for a comprehensive health care of these patients.