"Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with MDR/XDR-TB: A qualitative metasynthesis"

Multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/XDR-TB) continues to present critical public health and individual challenges, especially in high-burden settings such as India. Despite advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, individuals affected by MDR/XDR-TB often endure significant psychosocial, economic, and systemic hardships that are insufficiently addressed in the current literature. While most studies on this topic adopt quantitative methods, there remains a lack of synthesized qualitative evidence that captures the lived experiences and specific needs of these patients. This metasynthesis systematically reviewed and integrated findings from qualitative studies published between 2015 and June 2024, drawing on data from eleven studies conducted across eight countries and involving 259 participants. The analysis identified two major thematic domains namely experiences and needs. Patients reported pervasive emotional distress, social stigma, physical suffering from treatment side effects, economic strain, and psychological resilience. Their expressed needs included access to accurate information, compassionate and respectful healthcare relationships, psychosocial and financial support, and better management of treatment-related challenges. These findings reveal the deeply interwoven nature of psychosocial, medical, and structural barriers faced by individuals with MDR/XDR-TB. The study highlights the urgent need for holistic, person-centred interventions that address not only the clinical but also the emotional and socioeconomic dimensions of care, with the goal of improving patient well-being and treatment outcomes.