Correlation of Visual Function with Health-Related Quality of Life in Glaucoma Patients
Resource
JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE v.16 n.1 pp.134-140
Journal
JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Journal Volume
v.16
Journal Issue
n.1
Pages
134-140
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
LIN, JEN-CHIEH
YANG, MING-CHIN
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess visual impairment and quality of life (QOL), the relationship between visual function and health -related and vision- related QOL, and to identify factors significantly impacting QOL for glaucoma patients. Methods One-on-one interviews of 280 glaucoma patients at a regional hospital in Taiwan from 1 April 2005 to 30 September 2005. Data collected included demographics, clinical examinations and treatment status. QOL data collected utilized the Chinese (Taiwanese) version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Survey ( SF-36) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function-25 ( NEIVFQ -25). Results The majority of study participants had open-angle glaucoma ( 54.3%) and were classified as moderate stage (33.6%). The higher the health-related QOL scores for both questionnaires, the fewer difficulties experienced by the patients. Moderate correlation was found between the SF - 36 and NEIVFQ-25 subscales and visual function. Significant predicting factors for the SF-36 were gender, age, employment status, presence of systemic disease, better-eye visual acuity and better-eye mean defect. For the NEIVFQ-25, these were general vision, near and distance activities, colour vision and peripheral vision scores. Conclusions A combination of demographic data, clinical examination and QOL questionnaires may help clinicians better ascertain the impact of disease severity on glaucoma patients' QOL. This information may help in patient education, treatment compliance and selection of treatment options.
Subjects
glaucoma
health-related QOL
vision-related QOL
visual function
Type
journal article