Tuberculosis is considered to be one of the most globally deadliest and transmissible diseases. It is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. According to WHO report 2014 disease statistics, tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death among infectious disease [1] .

The WHO’s stop TB strategy is comprised of following outstanding Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) advancement and improvements recommended by WHO [2] [3] . DOTS is a strategy comprised of multiple anti-tuberculosis drugs and lasts for at least 6 to 8 months duration. During the treatment, patient may experience various unpleasant adverse effects due to Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT) [4] .

Pakistan is among the fifth burdened country having tuberculosis so prevalent (approximately 61%). That’s why National TB Program (NTP) has established many TB diagnostic and treatment centers all over the Pakistan for the early diagnosis and programmatic management of TB. The doctors and the paramedical staff are regularly trained to provide better care for TB patients. Moreover, screening and treatment are offered free of cost through national tuberculosis program. But still various barriers are found regarding its detection and notification. Likewise there are number of patients who are untreated even after its detection due to inadequate knowledge about illness and limited health care resources [5] [6] [7] . Though NTP has reported many successful cases of TB as it is evident from NTP annual report of 2014 that in new registered TB patients the success rate is 93% [8] , further work is needed to improve the quality of treatment and to manage co-morbid factors.

There is growing interest among health professionals regarding the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment and psychiatric co-morbidity. Several studies have indicated the co-morbidity of depression and anxiety with chronic illnesses especially in tuberculosis. A study conducted in the rural area (Haripur) of Pakistan found 72% of TB patients had moderate to severe level of depression and anxiety. Moreover, there are certain psychological factors like poor socio-economic condition, lack of social support, reduced quality of life due to TB diagnosis associated with the non-adherence of tuberculosis treatment. However, better management of these co-morbid factors can improve treatment adherence rate [9] [10] .

Anxiety and depression are one of the factors that can influence the compliance and well-being of patient [11] . The rationale of this study was to recognize and manage the psychiatric co-morbidity among tuberculosis patients to improve adherence to treatment. That’s why it aims to assess the frequency of depression and anxiety in one of the Centre established in tertiary care hospital and to compare it with previously done studies in Pakistan to see if there is any impact of these centers in reducing the level of depression and anxiety.

Data was collected from 100 diagnosed TB patients from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Chest ward. It is a well-known tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan frequently visited by the patients belongs to middle and lower socio-economic category. Participants were equally divided by gender (Male 50% and females 50%) and the mean age of total sample was 32.06. At the time of study 36% patients were single, 63% patients were married and 1% was divorced. Seventy one percent patients were from Nuclear and 40% patients were from joint family set up. They were also interviewed about their TB diagnosis type, 63% were diagnosed with pulmonary TB and 37% patients with Extra Pulmonary TB. Moreover, 60% patients were in intensive phase and 40% in continuation phase (Table 1).

Findings has also indicated that 56% TB patients had moderate to severe level of depression and 65% TB patients had moderate to severe level of anxiety. Female patients had significantly high frequency of depression as compared to males (t = −2.173, df = 98, P > 0.05). Similarly, frequency of anxiety was also significantly higher in female patients (t = −3.468, df = 98, P > 0.05).

In recent year there has been growing concern to identify and manage psychiatric co-morbidity among tuberculosis (TB) patients. This study focused on TB patients during treatment when they receive multiple drugs for limited period of time usually from 6 to 8 months. The overall frequency of depression and anxiety was 56% and 65% respectively which is higher as compared to (depression 46% and anxiety 47%) study conducted at JPMC in 2008 [14] . Moreover, the overall frequency of depression and anxiety in TB patients was much higher than the community based population of Pakistan i.e. 34% (range 29% - 66% for females and 10% - 33% for males) [15] (Table 2).

Present study results are consistent with the research conducted in the rural areas of Pakistan and found moderate to severe level of depression and anxiety among pulmonary TB patients [9] . The relationship between tuberculosis and mental health is complex. Many psychiatric disorders are positively linked with the high risk of tuberculosis and with poorer adherence to anti-TB treatment. On the other hand, diagnosis of tuberculosis increases risk of psychiatric complication and social isolation [16] . Various studies have indicated that Patient with tuberculosis report several psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety and somatoform symptoms. Further, there are certain psychosocial factors which are associated with TB like frequent smoking, increased alcohol

consumption, divorce, and isolation from the family [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] .

Psychiatric co-morbidity seems to be an important associated factor in treatment outcome of patients suffering from TB. Psychopathology, specific psychological reactions and complications are highly prevalent in TB patients. These psychological complications are also seen as the adverse effect of anti TB medications [10] . Certain anti tuberculosis drugs like Isoniazid and Ethambutol side effect include mood fluctuation, psychosis, convulsive seizures, mental confusion, dizziness, disorientation etc. [21] [22] . Factors which contribute non adherence response towards anti tuberculosis drugs are an important barrier to control TB. Because it’s incomplete treatment or treatment failure may lead to more severe infectiousness, relapse, morbidities and mortality. There are various reasons like prolonged treatment, financial and work related problems, frequent visits to hospital, transportation, low social economic status, slow progression and other illnesses, considered as barrier to treatment adherence [23] .

Depression and anxiety prevalence among TB patients was high in females as compared to males (Table 3). High frequency of depression and anxiety in female patients may be due to certain biological factors like hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth. Moreover, there are many social factors like poverty, race, and neighborhood may increase the risk for anxiety and depression in females [24] . Studies conducted in Pakistan have also shown that female sex, middle age, low education level, financial difficulties, being a house wife, and relational problems with husband and in-laws are the associated risk factors of depressive and anxiety disorders [15] .

Present research findings emphasize on the importance of routine screening for the symptoms of depression and anxiety in tuberculosis patients. The major limitation of the study was small sample size specifically form JPMC with very limited variables. This study just focused on TB patients, regardless of TB type or severity of illness, no specific

age group, restricted to just people of a socio-economic class and results can’t be generalized. In addition the psychiatric diagnosis of the patient was just based on questionnaires rather than structured interviews. A brief counseling session was given to all those patients having moderate to severe level of anxiety. However, further research should aim to identify the psychiatric co morbidities in DOTS and MDR-TB patients and by considering their risk factors and management.

In conclusion, the frequency of depression (56%) and anxiety (65%) among TB patients was high and could be associated with multiple factors like poor socio-economic status, severity of illness, etc. Moreover, it can be concluded that NTPs’ clinical advancement has not made any noteworthy difference in patients’ well-being. On the basis of revealed finding it is suggested there should be a properly trained psychologist in DOTs as we have in Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) treatment program [25] . Our doctors and paramedical staff working with TB patients need to modify their approach to recognize and decrease the factors associated with DOTs clinic. However, better management of these psychiatric morbidities may improve treatment adherence and patients’ quality of life.

We want to gratefully acknowledge Dr. Rabia Amir (Registrar Medical Officer at JPMC), Dr. Maria Mazhar (TB DOTS Facilitator) and the staff working in DOTS clinic of JPMC Chest ward for their active participation and cooperation throughout the study.

Amreen and Rizvi, N. (2016) Frequency of Depression and An- xiety among Tuberculosis Patients. Journal of Tuberculosis Research, 4, 183-190. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jtr.2016.44021