Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB cases registered under National Tuberculosis Elimination Program in Ahmedabad City.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) increases the risk of depression, lowers treatment compliance leading to poor outcomes.

Objectives: To (1) document the prevalence of depression among MDR-TB cases registered at tuberculosis units (TUs) of Ahmedabad city and (2) assess determinants of depression.

Methodology: Adult MDR-TB patients registered at all (23) TUs of Ahmedabad city, were studied using semi-structured questionnaire along with Gujarati translated version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) to assess the severity of depression based on 17 items. The sample size at 95% level of significance, was 251. Probability proportional to size sampling was adopted for selecting participants from each of the 23 TUs. Proportions and odds ratio with confidence interval with probability value were calculated.

Results: Of 251, only 185 (73.7%) cases could be contacted. Mortality proportion among selected cases was 18.7%. More than one-fifth (22%) had ≥1 comorbidity and 9.7% had another active TB case in the family. 161 (87.1) experienced ≥1 adverse event. Financial, social, or psychological stressors were reported by 22% of cases. Based on the HAM-D scale, 16.2% suffered from depression, determinants of depression by univariate analysis showed significant association with recent family issues, discrimination, financial/other troubling issues, and the presence of adverse drug event.

Conclusion: MDR-TB cases are more vulnerable for developing depression as the prevalence was 16.2% among them. Hence, cases need to be monitored closely for depression at TU as well at community level.