“To estimate the prevalence of depression in tubercular patients”: a descriptive study

Background: TB and mental illness often co-exist and though causality has not been established, mental illness has found to be significantly affect the outcome.
Objective: To study the prevalence of depression and their causes in tubercular patients who are on treatment.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the tubercular ward of government medical college Kota using Beck’s structured inventory(in Hindi) and patients were categorized into groups based on severity of disease. Probable causes of depression were asked for and diagnosis was made as per diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders V (DSM-V)
Results: The prevalence of depression in tubercular patients was found to be 72% with a male predominance. Among them, 32% patients had severe depression and 26.6% had moderate depression. Altered social relationship and TB stigma contributes maximally to the occurrence of depression followed by long duration of treatment.
Conclusion: TB treatment strategies should consider screening and managing the psychologically distressed individuals among TB patients and rehabilitating them for better compliance and outcomes.