A Path Analysis of Effects of Patients' Underlying Conditions, Treatment Satisfaction, and Adherence on Quality of Life Among Korea Glaucoma Patients

Patients' Satisfaction with Topical Anti-Glaucoma Medications and Associated Factors at Gondar University Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021

Background

Glaucoma is one of the leading cause of global irreversible blindness if left untreated. Satisfaction is a multifaceted outcome based on sufficient information and encouragement from the practitioner and based on the medications' nature. Determining patients' satisfaction is essential to increase their courage in their long-time follow-up of medical care.

Objective

To assess Patients' satisfaction with topical anti-glaucoma medications and associated factors among glaucoma patients at Gondar University Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 30 to August 27, 2021, among 395 glaucoma patients at Gondar University Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center. Data was entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 26 software for analysis. A Binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with satisfaction with topical anti-glaucoma medications. Statistical significance was considered when p-value < 0.05.

Results

A total of 395 study subjects participated in the study with a response rate of 93.38%. The overall satisfaction with topical anti-glaucoma medication was 62.5% with 95% CI: (57.5-67.8%). The absence of ocular side effects (AOR=5.39, 95% CI: 2.35-12.37) and the absence of ocular surface diseases (AOR=4.12, 95% CI: 1.69-10.09) were significantly associated with patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

More than half of the study participants were satisfied with topical anti-glaucoma medications. The absence of ocular side effects and absence of Ocular surface diseases were significantly associated with patient satisfaction with anti-glaucoma medication.

Socio-Demographic, lifestyle and eye-related factors associated with quality of life Among people with glaucoma in Serbia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic, lifestyle and ophthalmological factors associated with poorer Vision Related Quality of Life (VRQoL) in people with glaucoma.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 306 consecutive patients with glaucoma who presented for regular check-ups at the referral center in Belgrade (Serbia) from August 2015 to September 2016. The diagnosis of glaucoma was based on the glaucomatous disc cupping and reproducible visual field impairment on one or both eyes. Quality of life was examined using the validated Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ 25).

RESULTS

A series of adjusted linear regression models showed that glaucoma patients with higher educational attainment, who were employed and still driving had better VRQoL. Worse visual acuity and visual field defect, being in later glaucoma stages, having lower intraocular pressure, having two laser interventions as well as having pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma was associated with worse VRQoL. Intake of fewer medications and having had no trabeculectomies on better eye as well as taking less drops per day on worse eye were associated with better VRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Several socio-demographic, lifestyle and ocular factors can impact VRQoL in glaucoma patients. Identifying people who are at risk of having worse VRQoL could allow for earlier interventions, such as changes in therapy, undergoing surgery, use of mobility aids etc.