Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) among MDR-TB patients of Azad Jammu and Kashmir region during treatment.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among patients of MDR-TB, enrolled in TB controlled program at Abbas institute of medical sciences Muzaffarabad and Divisional Headquarter Hospital Mirpur. HRQOL was assessed using a validated Urdu version of EuroQol 5 dimensions 3 level (EQ-5D-3L) and its Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). Data was analyzed using SPSS v20 software and result was presented as frequency, percentage and mean using descriptive statistics and non-parametric chi square test, Kruskal Wallis H test and Mann Whitney U Test.

Results: Moderate to severe problems were reported across all domains of EQ-5D-3L by most of the participants with 58% reported some problems in mobility while 12% reported severe problems, for self-care domain 55% reported some problems while 8% reported severe problems, for usual activities domain 59% reported some problems while 25% reported severe problems, for pain/discomfort domain 59% reported some problems while 22% reported severe problems, for anxiety/depression domain 55% reported some problems while 31% reported severe problems. The mean EQ-VAS score was 54.51. An association was found between age and mobility, self-care, usual activities (p<0.05) domains. Similarly, for age and co-morbidities a significant difference between EQ-VAS Score (p-value <0.05) was found. Results from this study show moderate to severe problems across all domains of EQ-5D as well as lower EQ-VAS health Score than reference population.

Conclusion: This study reveals that most of the patients suffering from MDR-TB had moderate to severe problems in all domains of HRQOL. These findings conclude that MDR-TB impacts HRQOL as well as overall health state of individuals and can be used to highlight the importance of treatment on HRQOL among MDR-TB patients