Sleep quality and influencing factors and correlation with T-lymphocyte subpopulation counts in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: a cross-sectional study

Background Patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have poor sleep quality due to multiple factors. We aimed to assess the sleep status and related factors of TB patients in Shenzhen, China. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 461 TB patients hospitalized at Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital from March 2021 to January 2022, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Results A total of 459 valid questionnaires were collected, and 238 of the 459 TB patients had general or poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Patients’ gender, marriage, nutritional screening score, family atmosphere, fear of discrimination, fear of interactions, and the impact of the disease on their work life had significant effects on sleep quality ( P < 0.05); PSQI scores of TB patients were negatively correlated with lymphocyte counts ( r = − 0.296, P < 0.01), T-lymphocyte counts ( r = − 0.293, P < 0.01), helper T lymphocyte counts ( r = − 0.283, P < 0.01), killer T lymphocyte counts ( r = − 0.182, P < 0.05), and were positively correlated with depression scores ( r = 0.424, P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male (OR = 1.64,95% CI 1.11–2.42, P < 0.05), unmarried (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.02–2.42, P < 0.05), NRS score grade 3(OR = 5.35, 95% CI 2.08–15.73, P < 0.01), general family atmosphere (OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.07–4.93, P < 0.05), and the disease affecting work (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.11–2.50, P < 0.05) were factors influencing poor sleep quality. Conclusion Most TB patients had varying degrees of sleep disturbance, which may be affected by their gender, marriage, family atmosphere, nutritional status, the effect of the disease on work life, and, depression, as well as lower absolute T-lymphocyte subpopulation counts. Appropriate interventions should be implemented to improve their sleep quality, when treating or caring for such patients.