Health-related quality of life as a predictor of tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Iraq

Summary Objectives To determine how tuberculosis (TB) treatment affects the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with pulmonary TB and to identify the predictors of favourable TB treatment outcomes in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Tuberculosis (FACIT-TB), a new TB-specific quality of life instrument derived from the internationally recognized FACIT measurement system for the assessment of HRQL, was administered. The mean total and subscale scores of the FACIT-TB at baseline, end of the intensive phase, and end of TB treatment were compared. Results After the 2-month intensive phase, physical well-being, functional well-being, and the overall total scores were significantly increased ( p Conclusions Therapeutic intervention had a positive impact on patient HRQL. We conclude that FACIT-TB is a reliable tool to monitor HRQL during the course of TB treatment.