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The Basic VRS-Effect Study: Clinical Trial Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Low Vision Rehabilitation in Portugal. Ophthalmol Ther 2022; 12:307-323. [PMID: 36369618 PMCID: PMC9651903 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00600-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate the clinical impact of vision rehabilitation in patients with vision impairment and (2) to investigate the cost-effectiveness of a basic vision rehabilitation service in Portugal. METHODS The trial recruited patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy (DR) and visual acuity in the range 0.4-1.0logMAR in the better-seeing eye. Participants were randomised to one of the study arms consisting of immediate intervention and delayed intervention. The intervention included: new refractive correction, optical reading aids, in-office training and advice about modifications at home. Visual ability, health-related quality of life and costs were measured. Economic analysis was performed to evaluate whether the intervention was cost-effective. The trial compared the outcomes 12 weeks after the start in both arms. RESULTS Of the 46 participants, 34 (74%) were diagnosed with DR, 25 (54%) were female, and mean age was 70.08 years (SD = 8.74). In the immediate intervention arm visual ability increased a mean of 0.523 logits (SE = 0.11) (p < 0.001). Changes in the delayed intervention arm were not statistically significant (p = 0.95). Acuity in the better-seeing eye, near acuity and critical print size also improved during the study. The mean cost of the intervention was €118.79 (SD = 24.37). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio using the EQ-5D-5L was 30,421€/QALY and 1186€/QALY when using near acuity. CONCLUSION The current study gives evidence of positive clinical impact of a basic vision rehabilitation intervention and shows that a basic vision rehabilitation service is cost-effective. These findings are important to clinical and rehabilitation practices and for planning vision rehabilitation services. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered, 21/01/2019. ISRCTN10894889, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10894889.
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Ramos PL, Santana R, Marques AP, Sousa I, Rocha-Sousa A, Macedo AF. Cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture-recapture. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056995. [PMID: 36691224 PMCID: PMC9462125 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and causes of vision impairment (VI) in Portugal. SETTING Information about people with VI was obtained from primary care centres, blind association (ACAPO) and from hospitals (the PCVIP study) in the Northwest of Portugal during a period spanning years 2014-2015. Causes of VI were obtained from hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Administrative and medical records of people with visual acuity in the better seeing eye of 0.5 decimal (0.30logMAR) or worse and/or visual field less than 20° were investigated. Capture-recapture with log-linear models was applied to estimate the number of individuals missing from lists of cases obtained from available sources. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Log-linear models were used to estimate the crude prevalence and the category specific prevalence of VI. RESULTS Crude prevalence of VI was 1.97% (95% CI 1.56% to 2.54%), and standardised prevalence was 1% (95% CI 0.78% to 1.27%). The age-specific prevalence was 3.27% (95% CI 2.36% to 4.90%), older than 64 years, 0.64% (95% CI 0.49% to 0.88%), aged 25-64 years, and 0.07% (95% CI 0.045% to 0.13%), aged less than 25 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.3, that is, higher prevalence among females. The five leading causes of VI were diabetic retinopathy, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and disorders of the globe. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of VI in Portugal was within the expected range and in line with other European countries. A significant number of cases of VI might be due to preventable cases and, therefore, a reduction of the prevalence of VI in Portugal seems possible. Women and old people were more likely to have VI and, therefore, these groups require extra attention. Future studies are necessary to characterise temporal changes in prevalence of VI in Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Lima Ramos
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics - Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- Escola Nacional Saude Publica, Comprehensive Health Research Centre Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Patricia Marques
- Escola Nacional Saude Publica, Comprehensive Health Research Centre Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ines Sousa
- Department of Mathematics and Applications and Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Amandio Rocha-Sousa
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Antonio Filipe Macedo
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics - Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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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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Ramos PL, Sousa I, Santana R, Morgan WH, Gordon K, Crewe J, Rocha-Sousa A, Macedo AF. A Review of Capture-recapture Methods and Its Possibilities in Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2020; 27:310-324. [PMID: 32363970 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2020.1749286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological information is expected to be used to develop key aspects of eye care such as to control and minimise the impact of diseases, to allocate resources, to monitor public health actions, to determine the best treatment options and to forecast the consequence of diseases in populations. Epidemiological studies are expected to provide information about the prevalence and/or incidence of eye diseases or conditions. To determine prevalence is necessary to perform a cross-sectional screening of the population at risk to ascertain the number of cases. The aim of this review is to describe and evaluate capture-recapture methods (or models) to ascertaining the number of individuals with a disease (e.g. diabetic retinopathy) or condition (e.g. vision impairment) in the population. The review covers the fundamental aspects of capture-recapture methods that would enable non-experts in epidemiology to use it in ophthalmic studies. The review provides information about theoretical aspects of the method with examples of studies in ophthalmology in which it has been used. We also provide a problem/solution approach for limitations arising from the lists obtained from registers or other reliable sources. We concluded that capture-recapture models can be considered reliable to estimate the total number of cases with eye conditions using incomplete information from registers. Accordingly, the method may be used to maintain updated epidemiological information about eye conditions helping to tackle the lack of surveillance information in many regions of the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Lima Ramos
- Department of Medicine, Optometry Linnaeus University Kalmar , Kalmar, Sweden.,Department and Center of Physics-Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal
| | - Inês Sousa
- Department of Mathematics and Applications and Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- National School of Public Health and Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Public Health Research Centre, NOVA University of Lisbon , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - William H Morgan
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Western Australia , Perth, Australia
| | - Keith Gordon
- New Zealand Blind Foundation, Te Tūāpapa O Te Hunga Kāpō , Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Crewe
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Western Australia , Perth, Australia
| | - Amândio Rocha-Sousa
- Organs of Senses, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto, Portugal
| | - Antonio Filipe Macedo
- Department of Medicine, Optometry Linnaeus University Kalmar , Kalmar, Sweden.,Department and Center of Physics-Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal
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Marques AP, Macedo AF, Lima Ramos P, Moreno LH, Butt T, Rubin G, Santana R. Productivity Losses and Their Explanatory Factors Amongst People with Impaired Vision. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2019; 26:378-392. [PMID: 31280630 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2019.1632904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To estimate productivity losses amongst people with impaired vision in Portugal and to investigate explanatory factors associated with non-participation in the labour market.Methods: A total of 546 visually impaired individuals participated in face-to-face interviews. Participants were asked about their workforce participation to determine productivity (employment status questionnaire), their health-related quality of life - HRQoL (EQ-5D) and their visual acuity and visual ability (Activity Inventory). Productivity losses included absenteeism and reduction in workforce participation. Logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with participation in the labour market.Results: From the 546 participants, 50% were retired, 47% were of working age and 3% were students. The employment rate was 28%, and the unemployment rate was 21% for the working age sample. For those of working age, productivity losses were estimated at €1.51 million per year, mean of €5496 per participant. The largest contributor to productivity losses was reduced workforce participation, estimated from 159 early retired or unemployed participants. After controlling for visual acuity and ability, younger individuals, with more years of education, without comorbidities and high HRQoL had a higher probability of being employed.Conclusions: Our findings show a high unemployment rate and high productivity losses amongst people with impaired vision. The probability of being employed was associated with education, HRQoL and comorbidities. We speculate that promoting education and health through effective visual rehabilitation programs may help to increase participation in the labour market. These findings can inform decisions to intervene to reduce the burden of vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Patricia Marques
- National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Public Health Research Center, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antonio Filipe Macedo
- Department of Medicine, Optometry Linnaeus University Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden.,Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics-Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lima Ramos
- Department of Medicine, Optometry Linnaeus University Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden.,Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics-Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Laura Hernandez Moreno
- Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics-Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Thomas Butt
- National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gary Rubin
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rui Santana
- National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Public Health Research Center, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Baskaran K, Macedo AF, He Y, Hernandez-Moreno L, Queirós T, Mansfield JS, Calabrèse A. Scoring reading parameters: An inter-rater reliability study using the MNREAD chart. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216775. [PMID: 31173587 PMCID: PMC6555504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose First, to evaluate inter-rater reliability when human raters estimate the reading performance of visually impaired individuals using the MNREAD acuity chart. Second, to evaluate the agreement between computer-based scoring algorithms and compare them with human rating. Methods Reading performance was measured for 101 individuals with low vision, using the Portuguese version of the MNREAD test. Seven raters estimated the maximum reading speed (MRS) and critical print size (CPS) of each individual MNREAD curve. MRS and CPS were also calculated automatically for each curve using two different algorithms: the original standard deviation method (SDev) and a non-linear mixed effects (NLME) modeling. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate absolute agreement between raters and/or algorithms. Results Absolute agreement between raters was ‘excellent’ for MRS (ICC = 0.97; 95%CI [0.96, 0.98]) and ‘moderate’ to ‘good’ for CPS (ICC = 0.77; 95%CI [0.69, 0.83]). For CPS, inter-rater reliability was poorer among less experienced raters (ICC = 0.70; 95%CI [0.57, 0.80]) when compared to experienced ones (ICC = 0.82; 95%CI [0.76, 0.88]). Absolute agreement between the two algorithms was ‘excellent’ for MRS (ICC = 0.96; 95%CI [0.91, 0.98]). For CPS, the best possible agreement was found for CPS defined as the print size sustaining 80% of MRS (ICC = 0.77; 95%CI [0.68, 0.84]). Absolute agreement between raters and automated methods was ‘excellent’ for MRS (ICC = 0.96; 95% CI [0.88, 0.98] for SDev; ICC = 0.97; 95% CI [0.95, 0.98] for NLME). For CPS, absolute agreement between raters and SDev ranged from ‘poor’ to ‘good’ (ICC = 0.66; 95% CI [0.3, 0.80]), while agreement between raters and NLME was ‘good’ (ICC = 0.83; 95% CI [0.76, 0.88]). Conclusion For MRS, inter-rater reliability is excellent, even considering the possibility of noisy and/or incomplete data collected in low-vision individuals. For CPS, inter-rater reliability is lower. This may be problematic, for instance in the context of multisite investigations or follow-up examinations. The NLME method showed better agreement with the raters than the SDev method for both reading parameters. Setting up consensual guidelines to deal with ambiguous curves may help improve reliability. While the exact definition of CPS should be chosen on a case-by-case basis depending on the clinician or researcher’s motivations, evidence suggests that estimating CPS as the smallest print size sustaining about 80% of MRS would increase inter-rater reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Filipe Macedo
- Department of Medicine and Optometry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics—Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Yingchen He
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States of America
| | - Laura Hernandez-Moreno
- Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation Lab, Department and Center of Physics—Optometry and Vision Science, University of Minho Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | | | - J. Stephen Mansfield
- Department of Psychology, SUNY College at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, New York, United States of America
| | - Aurélie Calabrèse
- Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, CNRS, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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