Author: Okudo AC, Babalola OE, Onakoya A, Ogunro AO.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) patients and compare them with age-sex-matched controls attending ophthalmic centres in Abuja with a view to adopt a paradigm shift to a holistic approach to glaucoma management.
Method: A case control study carried out among 106 POAG patients and an equal number of age-sex matched controls (non POAG patients that have no vision impairing ocular disorder) attending Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja and Eye Foundation Hospital Abuja from Nov 2012 to April 2013. National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEIVFQ), Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) and Co-morbidity Scale (CMS) were used to assess Quality of Life (QoL). Data was analysed using SPSS Version 20.
Results: There was a statistically significant decline in all the quality-of-life measures assessed in the study among those with POAG as compared to controls NEIVFQ (97.30vs 71.13 p<0.001), GSS (95.15vs 78.06p<0.001) and CMS (0.42 vs 0.81 p<0.001). The NEIVFQ subscales posing the greatest challenge for POAG patients were driving, general health and general vision. There was a statistically significant decline in QoL measures when comparing the mild variant of the disease with the controls (NEIVFQ 97.30 vs89.27 p<0.001), (GSS 95.15 vs 89.26) p=0.001). Controls were 37 times more likely than POAG patients to have a NEIVFQ score greater than 90 (OR36.9, 95% CI: 14.6 – 92.6, P<0.001). Those with mild severity were 10 times more likely than those with severe disease (OR9.9, 95% CI: 3.3-29.4 P<0.001) to have NEIVFQ scores greater than 90. Those with moderate severity were 6 times more likely than those with severe disease (OR5.7, 95% CI: 1.6-19.8, P=0.006) to have NEIVFQ scores greater than 90.
Conclusion: The quality of life of glaucoma patients was reduced even early in the disease. Glaucoma patients were found to have more self-reported comorbidities than controls. QoL measures should be incorporated into evaluating glaucoma patients’ management. There should be increased advocacy towards early diagnosis and care in other to preserve the quality of life.
Keywords: Quality of life, glaucoma, National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire25, glaucoma symptom score; comorbidity score.