[Preliminary study of the quality of life of glaucoma patients in the district of Sousse (Tunisia): Sociodemographic and clinical associations].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the vision-specific quality-of-life (VS-QoL) of glaucoma patients followed at Farhat Hached university hospital, Sousse-Tunisia, and identify clinical and sociodemographic factors potentially affecting it.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study enrolling one-hundred twenty patients followed for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). All the patients successfully responded to the Arabic version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ 25). Quality of life was quantified in terms of scores (0-100) and correlated with sociodemographic and clinical factors.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty patients were studied. The mean age was 62.38±10.68years. The global mean score (GMS) score was 70.11±18.45% ranging from 23.71 to 98%. Urban residence was associated with a better total score (P=0.01). Educational background was correlated with the subscale scores of distant activities (P=0.01), social functioning (P=0.03), physical activity limitations (P=0.01) and peripheral vision (P=0.01). The total NEI-VFQ 25 had a statistically significantly negative correlation with the duration of the glaucoma (P=0.002), the cup to disc ratio of the better and the worse eye (P<10-4), the visual acuity of the better and the worse eye (P<10-4), but not with the intraocular pressure. A higher number of glaucoma medications had a negative impact on the total score (P=0.03) and the subscales of physical activity limitations (P=0.04) and driving (P=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Vision-specific quality of life of glaucoma patients, as measured by the NEI-VFQ 25, is correlated to many sociodemographic and clinical elements. QoL evaluation is an essential factor to be considered in the management of glaucoma patients. In our context, research should be directed first to the validation of a questionnaire in the local dialect.
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie. Electronic address: leilaknani@yahoo.fr.
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Knani
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
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F
Gatfaoui
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
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Mahjoub
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
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M
Ghorbel
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
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H
Mahjoub
Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.
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F
Ben Hadj Hamida
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
Glaucoma; Glaucome; NEI-VFQ; Quality of life; Qualité de vie; Tunisia; Tunisie