Health status of patients with chronic diseases in a district hospital in the Caribbean

Chronic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) are among the highest disease groups in Trinidad and Tobago. This study aimed to assess overall health for patients with chronic diseases at a hospital in Trinidad and Tobago. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data over a six month period. A standard set of three patient reported outcome measures was used: WHO 5 Wellbeing Index, PROMIS Global Health 10 which comprised Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO DAS). These questionnaires were self-administered to all patients attending two clinics. Data from 401 participants were analysed, of which 73.1% (n = 312) had CNCDs and 22.2% (n = 89) were living with HIV. The median WHO 5 Wellbeing Index score was 60 for patients with CNCDs and 60 for patients living with HIV. The median GPH T score was significantly higher in patients living with HIV compared to the patients with CNCDs (39.2 versus 32.4, p = 0.003) while the median GMH T score was similar in both patient groups (MOPC 38.2 and ID 38.2, p = 0.329). The median WHO DAS score for patients with CNCDs was 23 compared to 17.5 for patients living with HIV. The study results indicated fair health, wellbeing and mild disability amongst chronic disease patients. These results can inform decisions on where improvement efforts should be targeted to improve patients’ overall health.