Health-related quality of life and its association with lung function in post-treatment paediatric tuberculosis patients in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

This cross-sectional study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and lung function among Nigerian children and adolescents who completed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) treatment 6 months to 5 years earlier. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 survey, while spirometry measured lung function. Participants had a median age of 13 years, and most completed treatment 12–23 months before the study. Overall HRQoL scores were high, with physical functioning scoring highest and general health perception lowest. About 68.4% of participants reported good overall HRQoL. Significant associations were found between lung function and several HRQoL domains, including role-physical, general health, vitality, social functioning, and overall wellbeing. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating HRQoL assessments into post-TB care and follow-up programs for children and adolescents, emphasizing the need to address physical, social, and mental health outcomes after TB treatment.