Depression and disability associated with impaired vision: the MoVies Project.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how depression and impaired vision relate to disability in older people.


METHODS
An epidemiological survey of an age-stratified random community sample.


METHODS
The rural mid-Monongahela Valley in South-western Pennsylvania.


METHODS
A total of 872 noninstitutionalized persons aged 68 and older, fluent in English, and with at least a grade 6 education.


METHODS
Demographics, self-reported vision impairment, OARS Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale to assess depression.


RESULTS
Compared with subjects with intact vision, those with impaired vision were more likely to have five or more depressive symptoms (29.7% vs 8.5%; OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.2, 9.6) and to be more functionally impaired (OR = 9.7, 95% CI = 4.9, 19.2). The number of depressive symptoms (1-4: OR = 2.4, CI = 1.8, 3.4) and (5+: OR = 5.9, CI = 3.6, 9.8) was associated independently with IADL impairment after controlling for vision, age, and gender.


CONCLUSIONS
Impaired vision and depression are both associated strongly with functional impairment in this community population of older adults. Depression, however, increases the odds of functional impairment independent of vision impairment. Treating depression may reduce excess disability associated with impaired vision.
Rovner
B W
BW
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College and Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ganguli
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications*