The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (6): 937-943.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.06.005

• Feature Reports:Respiratory Disease • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Relationship between mental health status and treatment adherence in MDR/RR-TB patients

Jianghuai WANG1,Xiaohe ZHANG2,Wen CHEN1()   

  1. 1.School of Public Health,Sun Yat?sen University,Guangzhou 510080,Guangdong,China2Department of Laboratory Medicine,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2025-11-13 Revised:2025-12-22 Accepted:2025-12-23 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2026-03-26
  • Contact: Wen CHEN E-mail:chenw43@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the mental health status, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness, of patients with multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) and its association with treatment adherence. Methods From October 2024 to July 2025, a total of 900 MDR/RR-TB patients managed in 12 designated tuberculosis hospitals and 60 community health service centers in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhongshan were enrolled. Psychological status was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and UCLA Loneliness Scale-3 (UCLA-3). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing treatment adherence. Results Patients were classified into an adherence group (n = 612; 68.00%) and a poor-adherence group (n = 288; 32.00%). Compared with the adherence group, the poor-adherence group had higher scores on PHQ-9 (12.49 ± 3.85 vs. 5.26 ± 2.16), GAD-7 (10.23 ± 2.77 vs. 4.88 ± 1.99), UCLA-3 (6.69 ± 1.17 vs. 4.33 ± 1.06), and PSQI (10.42 ± 3.17 vs. 6.17 ± 2.38), and lower scores on SSRS (34.22 ± 5.86 vs. 42.33 ± 6.30), with all differences being statistically significant. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that higher PHQ-9 (OR = 2.190; 95%CI: 1.699 - 2.823), GAD-7 (OR = 1.562; 95%CI: 1.266 - 1.927), UCLA-3 (OR = 2.812; 95%CI: 1.753 - 4.509), and PSQI scores (OR = 1.267; 95%CI: 1.065 - 1.507), as well as self-payment as the primary payment method (OR = 15.699; 95%CI: 2.765 - 89.135), were independent risk factors for poor adherence. Higher monthly household income (OR = 0.183; 95%CI: 0.056 - 0.600), stronger social support (SSRS: OR = 0.666; 95%CI: 0.602 - 0.736), and better knowledge of MDR/RR-TB—both general (OR = 0.114; 95%CI: 0.029 - 0.439) and comprehensive (OR = 0.032; 95%CI: 0.007 - 0.154)—were protective factors. Conclusions Depression, anxiety, and loneliness are significantly associated with treatment adherence in MDR/RR-TB patients. Mental health assessment provides a valuable tool for identifying patients at risk of poor adherence and offers evidence for more refined management and targeted interventions.

Key words: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, treatment adherence, mental health

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