Neuropsychological Changes in Tuberculosis Patients following Treatment: A preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is reported to lead to significant neuropsychological problems such as depression and anxiety in addition to poor quality of life. These problems may impact adherence to treatment and disease outcomes. In the present preliminary study we assessed the effects of TB treatment on the neuropsychological profile of newly diagnosed smear-positive TB patients
Materials and Methods: Repeated measures design was adopted. Participants were administered neuropsychological tests and quality of life measures at diagnosis and at month six after treatment.
Results: Significant improvement was observed on the Immediate (Pre-test Mean = 18.5, SD= 9.2, Post-test M= 30.0, SD= 23.2) t(21) = -2.38, p= .027) and Delayed (Pre-test Mean = 4.7, SD= 2.9, Post-test M= 6.6, SD= 2.4), t(21) = -4.98, p< .001) recall of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) Short Form, Further, on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), psychological distress significantly decreased after treatment compared to the initial testing (pre-test M= .709, SD= .601, post-test M= .322, SD= .423), t (20) = 2.41, p= .026 (two-tailed).
Conclusion: Neuropsychological functioning among TB patients was impacted positively by anti-tuberculous medications.  Neuropsychological assessment should be considered an integral part of treatment and management of TB patients.