Is glaucoma comprehension associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life for patients with glaucoma? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate whether understanding of glaucoma is associated with psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with glaucoma.DesignA prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.SettingShanghai, China.ParticipantsFive hundred patients with glaucoma were included in the study. Participants were asked to complete the glaucoma comprehension questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25).Outcome measuresSociodemographic data and clinical data were collected. Multivariate adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to examine factors related to psychological disorder and QoL. The relationship between understanding of glaucoma and psychological status or QoL was analysed.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 56.5±17.2 years, and the mean duration of glaucoma was 4.6±6.3 years. About half (54.2%) of the patients had primary open angle glaucoma, 37.2% had primary angle closure glaucoma, and 8.6% had secondary glaucoma. The total score and the subscores of knowledge of glaucoma, compliance and habits were all negatively correlated with the HADS-Depression and HADS scores. For NEI VFQ-25, the total comprehension score was positively related to general vision, near activity, distance activity, social function, colour vision and the composite score. Habits had a significant influence on both HADS-Depression and the composite score of NEI VFQ-25.ConclusionsThe level of understanding about glaucoma is an independent factor negatively associated with psychological disturbance and positively associated with QoL in patients with glaucoma. However, it is a subjective factor which can be regulated, so imparting knowledge about glaucoma and establishing appropriate habits might help patients alleviate psychological disturbance and enhance their QoL.

Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Singaporean Patients With Glaucoma

“…The mean VFQ25 score in our study was 78.8 ± 16.0, higher than China (70.6 ± 15.4), 26 Taiwan (69.2 ± 20.4), 27 and Japanese patients (69.8 ± 1.9), 28 but lower than that of Greek (81.7 ± 14.7) 29 and Nigerian patients (85.2 ± 16.1). 30 Our findings are surprising, as this suggests that despite the high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among glaucoma patients in our study, they are nevertheless able to cope sufficiently with the disease without letting it affect their daily lives unduly.…”

Glaucoma, Depression and Quality of Life: Multiple Comorbidities, Multiple Assessments and Multidisciplinary Plan Treatment

“…Depression as a comorbid condition deteriorates the health of the patients more than depression alone or more than other chronic conditions, alone or in combination of different chronic diseases without depression (Moussavi et al 2007). Chronic conditions such as glaucoma may be associated with depression due to the age of patients (Jeong et al 2006, Kong et al 2014, prolonged daily use of antiglaucoma medications, limitation of daily activities, limitation of family and working roles (Guedes et al 2012).…”

“…Depression has also higher prevalence among older population (Skalicky & Goldberg 2008). The risk factors for the development of psychological disorders in glaucoma patients could be subjective and objective (Kong et al 2014). The age, sex, visual field loss (VFL) and the severity of glaucoma condition are some of the objective risk factors on which the patients have no influence (Kong et al 2014).…”

“…The subjective risk factors, such as regular and proper administration of topical antiglaucoma medication, education and proper understanding of character of the glaucoma disease or adoption of healthy habits, could be influenced by patients. In the study among the Chinese patients, the comprehension of the character of glaucoma is an independent factor negatively related to psychological disturbance and positively related to the Quality of Life (QoL) among the glaucoma patients (Kong et al 2014). The authors emphasize the value of education in establishing the healthy habits (the importance of compliance with the therapy) among the patients.…”

“…The risk factors for the development of psychological disorders in glaucoma patients could be subjective and objective (Kong et al 2014). The age, sex, visual field loss (VFL) and the severity of glaucoma condition are some of the objective risk factors on which the patients have no influence (Kong et al 2014). The subjective risk factors, such as regular and proper administration of topical antiglaucoma medication, education and proper understanding of character of the glaucoma disease or adoption of healthy habits, could be influenced by patients.…”