Quality of life in glaucoma patients: regression analysis and correlation with possible modifiers.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the quality of life in a Brazilian glaucoma population and the influence of possible modifiers (e.g., visual acuity, visual field impairment).


METHODS
Forty-five consecutive patients from CEROF - Federal University of Goias, Brazil were included prospectively in the study. The quality of life was assessed using the Portuguese version of the VFQ. Possible modifiers were evaluated, initially separately with the Spearman's Correlation and then together in a regression model.


RESULTS
The mean age was 59.6 +/- 12.4 years. The mean quality of life score was 79 +/- 15 (range 45-100). Age (r = -0.402, p = 0.006), visual acuity in the better eye (r = -0.497, p = 0.001) and in the worse eye (r = -0.608, p < 0.001), Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson visual field grading scale in the better (r = -0.353, p = 0.01) and worse eye (r = -0.387, p = 0.009), visual field Mean Deviation (MD) in the better (r = 0.355, p = 0.01) and worse eye (r = 0.320, p = 0.04) and ability to perform a visual field test in both eyes (r = -0.397, p = 0.007) were significantly correlated with the quality of life scores. However, only age (younger, better quality of life, p = 0.008) and visual acuity in the better eye (direct relation, p = 0.04) were significant in the regression model (r = 0.633, r(2) = 0.401).


CONCLUSIONS
The VFQ may be a useful tool to assess the quality of life in glaucoma patients. The preliminary results indicate that age and visual acuity in the better eye are the main factors related to the quality of life in these patients.
Magacho
Leopoldo
L
Department of Ophthalmology (CEROF), Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. lmagacho@brturbo.com
Lima
Francisco E
FE
Nery
Ana Carla S
AC
Sagawa
Antônio
A
Magacho
Bernardo
B
Avila
Marcos P
MP
D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields