Arthritis and Health Related Quality of Life in Adult Outpatients in Trinidad: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract BACKGROUND Arthritis is a public health concern because of the high prevalence reported in various settings as well as its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported joint pain, arthritis and its associations with quality of life in a Trinidadian primary care population. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult outpatients from 16 randomly selected primary care centres. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on arthritis and HRQOL domains. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 21) using Fisher’s exact, Chi-square testing, correlation and t-tests. Regression analysis was also done for predictors of HRQOL. RESULTS Of 421 subjects approached, 392 (93%) completed this survey. The average age was 46 ± 17.8 years with 60.5% of respondents being female and 75% being of either East Indian or African descent. Joint pain in the past 6 months, reported by 57.9% of participants, was associated with female gender (P = 0.016), East Indian descent (P = 0.001), unemployment (P < 0.001) and primary school education level (P < 0.001). There was significant (P < 0.005) upset in all domains of quality of life in those with joint pain. Severity and duration of joint pain was also positively correlated with worse HRQOL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study highlighted the high prevalence of self-reported joint pain in Trinidad and its negative effects on HRQOL. There is an urgent need to address arthritis and the resulting morbidity in this setting.