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Krogh Nielsen M, Hinnerskov JMV, Sørensen TL. Geographic atrophy - Signs, symptoms, and quality of life. Acta Ophthalmol 2023; 101:896-902. [PMID: 37933609 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) is a prevalent cause of vision loss among elderly and is associated with a significant loss of function. We reviewed the current literature to assess the effect of GA on patients' daily lives and well-being. We record and organize the signs, symptoms, and impacts that are important in life with GA. Further, we examined the impact of GA on vision-related quality of life. The main complaint among patients was difficulties regarding daily tasks, especially reading and other near activities. However, a large proportion of patients also reported fear, frustration, and anxiety as salient symptoms with large impact. Many patients do not have adequate information about their condition as well as the prognosis. The most commonly used measure of patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) is the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ), that reflects the severity of impact on 12 subscales, from where near activities, general vision, mental health, and role difficulties had the lowest scores. Longitudinal studies of GA and the impact of low-vision rehabilitation efforts on health-related quality of life are sparse but suggest a significant improvement on several items. PROM is included in clinical trials, and so far, no drug has shown to improve the functional outcome in terms of PROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Krogh Nielsen
- Clinical Eye Research Division, Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Torben Lykke Sørensen
- Clinical Eye Research Division, Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Agathos CP, Velisar A, Shanidze NM. A Comparison of Walking Behavior during the Instrumented TUG and Habitual Gait. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7261. [PMID: 37631797 PMCID: PMC10459909 DOI: 10.3390/s23167261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The timed up and go test (TUG) is a common clinical functional balance test often used to complement findings on sensorimotor changes due to aging or sensory/motor dysfunction. The instrumented TUG can be used to obtain objective postural and gait measures that are more sensitive to mobility changes. We investigated whether gait and body coordination during TUG is representative of walking. We examined the walking phase of the TUG and compared gait metrics (stride duration and length, walking speed, and step frequency) and head/trunk accelerations to normal walking. The latter is a key aspect of postural control and can also reveal changes in sensory and motor function. Forty participants were recruited into three groups: young adults, older adults, and older adults with visual impairment. All performed the TUG and a short walking task wearing ultra-lightweight wireless IMUs on the head, chest, and right ankle. Gait and head/trunk acceleration metrics were comparable across tasks. Further, stride length and walking speed were correlated with the participants' age. Those with visual impairment walked significantly slower than sighted older adults. We suggest that the TUG can be a valuable tool for examining gait and stability during walking without the added time or space constraints.
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Macedo AF, Hellström A, Massof R, Tuvesson H, Rask M, Ramos PL, Safipour J, Marteinsdottir I, Nilsson E, Fagerström C, Årestedt K. Predictors of problems reported on the EQ-5D-3L dimensions among people with impaired vision in northern Portugal. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20:132. [PMID: 36068600 PMCID: PMC9450368 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-022-02043-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The EQ-5D index often fails to detect the effect of ophthalmic diseases and sight loss. Investigating predictors of individual EQ-5D health dimensions might reveal the underlying reasons. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of health dimension ratings obtained with the EQ-5D-3L from participants with impaired vision representing a spectrum of eye diseases. METHODS Observational cross-sectional study with participants recruited at four public hospitals in Portugal. Outpatients with visual acuity of 0.30 logMAR(6/12) or worse in the better-seeing eye were invited to participate. Participants completed two instruments: the EQ-5D-3L (measures participants' perceived health-related quality-of-life) and the Massof Activity Inventory (measures visual ability-ability to perform vision-related activities). This study used logistic regression models to identify factors associated with responses to the EQ-5D-3L. RESULTS The study included 492 participants, mean age 63.4 years (range = 18-93), 50% females. The most common diagnosis was diabetic retinopathy (37%). The mean visual acuity in the better seeing eye was 0.65 logMAR (SD = 0.48) and the mean visual ability was 0.62 logits (SD = 2.04), the correlation between the two was r = - 0.511 (p < 0.001). Mobility and self-care were the health dimensions with the fewest problems (1% reported extreme problems), anxiety and depression the dimension with the most problems (24% reported extreme problems). ROC curve analysis showed that the EQ-5D index was a poor predictor of cases of vision impairment whilst visual ability given was a good predictor of cases of vision impairment. Visual ability was an independent predictor of the response for all dimensions, higher ability was always associated with a reduced odds of reporting problems. The odds of reporting problems were increased for females in 3 out of 5 dimensions. Comorbidities, visual acuity and age-category were predictors of the odds of reporting problems for one dimension each. CONCLUSIONS The odds of reporting problems for the five health dimensions of the EQ-5D-3L were strongly influenced by the ability to perform vision-related activities (visual ability). The EQ-5D index showed poor performance at detecting vision impairment. These findings are informative and relevant for the clinic and for research evaluating the impact of eye diseases and disease treatments in ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Filipe Macedo
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182, Kalmar, Sweden. .,Center of Physics, Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Amanda Hellström
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Robert Massof
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hanna Tuvesson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Mikael Rask
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Pedro Lima Ramos
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jalal Safipour
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Ina Marteinsdottir
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Evalill Nilsson
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Fagerström
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Kristofer Årestedt
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Department of Research, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
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Varadaraj V, Ehrlich JR, Swenor BK. Vision Impairment Has Implications for Aging and Health Outcomes, Beyond Ophthalmology. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2214610. [PMID: 35608864 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Varshini Varadaraj
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua R Ehrlich
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Bonnielin K Swenor
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
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