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Abstract #21328 Published in IGR 10-2
Health literacy and vision-related quality of life
Muir KW; Santiago-Turla C; Stinnett SS; Herndon LW; Allingham RR; Challa P; Lee PPBritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2008; 92: 779-782
See also comment(s) by David Garway-Heath •
BACKGROUND: Non-visual factors influence a person's vision-related quality of life (VRQoL). The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between health literacy and VRQoL in glaucoma patients. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five subjects with open-angle glaucoma participated in a cross-sectional patient survey and chart review. Subjects were administered a test of health literacy, an assessment of physical and mental well-being, and an assessment of VRQoL, the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). Charts were reviewed for visual acuity and visual field results. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, older age (p < 0.001), non-White race (p < 0.001), worse visual acuity (p < 0.001), worse visual field scores (p < 0.001), lower level of education (p < 0.001), worse health literacy (p < 0.001) and worse score on the mental health component of the SF-12 (p = 0.005) were associated with worse VFQ-25 scores. In multivariate analyses, only older age was associated with worse total VFQ-25 scores (p < 0.001), although the association between health literacy and the VFQ subscale of dependency remained significant (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a lower health literacy do not appear to have a worse overall VRQoL compared with those with a higher literacy, but worse health literacy is associated with increased dependency.
Dr. K.W. Muir, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3802, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Kelly.muir@duke.edu
Classification:
1.4 Quality of life (Part of: 1 General aspects)
15 Miscellaneous