TY - JOUR
T1 - "Seeing" in NARCOMS
T2 - A look at vision-related quality of life in the NARCOMS registry
AU - Salter, Amber R.
AU - Tyry, Tuula
AU - Vollmer, Timothy
AU - Cutter, Gary R.
AU - Marrie, Ruth Ann
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Background: Research on vision-related quality of life (QOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still limited. Tools such as the Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) and the Vision Performance Scale (VPS) facilitate assessments of the severity of visual impairment and its impact on daily life. Objective: The objective of this paper is to examine vision-related QOL, comorbid eye conditions, use of visual aids and utilization of eye-care providers in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) population, and to explore these issues in those with a history of optic neuritis (ON) and diplopia. Methods: In 2008, NARCOMS registrants reported on their use of visual aids, the VFQ-25, VPS, history of ON, diplopia, refractive error conditions (REC) and comorbid eye diseases (CED). We conducted regression analyses and correlations between select variables. Results: The response rate for the survey was 60.4%. Of the 9107 responders, 66.7% reported visual disability measured by VPS. Of respondents, 43.1% had a history of ON and 38.6% reported prior diplopia. Frequencies of myopia (51.8%), hyperopia (26.6%), and uveitis (3.4%) exceeded those expected for the general population. Mean (SD) VFQ-25 composite score was 82.0 (14.2). A history of ON or diplopia accounted for 9.7% of the variance in the VFQ-25; 90.6% of respondents used glasses or contact lenses. Rates of utilizations of eye-care providers were lower than expected. Conclusion: Prior ON, diplopia, REC and CED adversely impact vision-related QOL in MS. Increased utilization of eyecare providers and use of visual aids could improve vision-related QOL in people with MS.
AB - Background: Research on vision-related quality of life (QOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still limited. Tools such as the Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) and the Vision Performance Scale (VPS) facilitate assessments of the severity of visual impairment and its impact on daily life. Objective: The objective of this paper is to examine vision-related QOL, comorbid eye conditions, use of visual aids and utilization of eye-care providers in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) population, and to explore these issues in those with a history of optic neuritis (ON) and diplopia. Methods: In 2008, NARCOMS registrants reported on their use of visual aids, the VFQ-25, VPS, history of ON, diplopia, refractive error conditions (REC) and comorbid eye diseases (CED). We conducted regression analyses and correlations between select variables. Results: The response rate for the survey was 60.4%. Of the 9107 responders, 66.7% reported visual disability measured by VPS. Of respondents, 43.1% had a history of ON and 38.6% reported prior diplopia. Frequencies of myopia (51.8%), hyperopia (26.6%), and uveitis (3.4%) exceeded those expected for the general population. Mean (SD) VFQ-25 composite score was 82.0 (14.2). A history of ON or diplopia accounted for 9.7% of the variance in the VFQ-25; 90.6% of respondents used glasses or contact lenses. Rates of utilizations of eye-care providers were lower than expected. Conclusion: Prior ON, diplopia, REC and CED adversely impact vision-related QOL in MS. Increased utilization of eyecare providers and use of visual aids could improve vision-related QOL in people with MS.
KW - MS
KW - Multiple sclerosis
KW - cohort studies
KW - health care utilization
KW - quality of life
KW - vision
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878371259&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1352458512469694
DO - 10.1177/1352458512469694
M3 - Article
C2 - 23257618
AN - SCOPUS:84878371259
SN - 1352-4585
VL - 19
SP - 953
EP - 960
JO - Multiple Sclerosis Journal
JF - Multiple Sclerosis Journal
IS - 7
ER -