scholarly journals Blindness and visual impairment in Central Europe

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261897
Author(s):  
Marlene Glatz ◽  
Regina Riedl ◽  
Wilfried Glatz ◽  
Mona Schneider ◽  
Andreas Wedrich ◽  
...  

Purpose To assess the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in a Central European country. The findings may have implications for the planning of further research and development of therapies in order to prevent blindness. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Design Retrospective, epidemiological study. Methods The database of the Main Confederation of Austrian Social Insurances was searched for patients with visual impairment, legal blindness or deaf-blindness. This database gathers data from patients of all insurance providers in the country who receive care due to visual impairment and blindness. To determine the prevalence of these conditions, the number of all entries recorded in February 2019 was evaluated. Additionally, all new entries between (January 1st,) 2017, and (December 31st,) 2018, were analysed for distinct characteristics, such as sex, the cause of blindness/visual impairment, and age. Since health care allowances can provide a considerable source of income (459.90€-936.90€ per month), good coverage of practically all patients who are blind and visually impaired in the country can be assumed. Results On February 2nd, 2019, 17,730 patients with visual impairments, blindness or deaf-blindness were registered in Austria, resulting in a prevalence of these diagnoses of 0.2% in the country. During the observational period from 2017 to 2018, 4040 persons met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 2877 were female (65.3%), and 1527 were male (34.7%). The mean age was 75.7 ± 18.0 years (median 82). Most patients (n = 3675, 83.4%) were of retirement age, while 729 (16.6%) were working-age adults or minors. In total, an incidence of 25.0 (95% confidence limit (CL) 24.3–25.8) per 100,000 person-years was observed from 2017 to 2018. A higher incidence was observed for females (32.2, 95% CL 31.0–33.3) than for males (17.7, 95% CL 16.8–18.5). Incidences where higher for males in lower age groups (e.g. 10–14 years: rate ratio RR = 2.7, 95% CL 1.1–6.8), and higher for females in higher age groups (e.g. 70–74 years: RR = 0.6, 95% CL 0.5–0.8). In total, the most frequent diagnoses were macular degeneration (1075 persons, 24.4%), other retinal disorders (493 persons, 11.2%) and inherited retinal and choroidal diseases (IRDs) (186 persons, 4.2%). Persons with IRDs were significantly younger compared to persons with macular degeneration or retinal disorders (IRDs: median 57, range 2–96 vs 83, 5–98 and 82, 1–98 years, p<0.001). For persons of retirement age, macular degeneration, other retinal disorders and glaucoma were the three most frequent diagnoses. In contrast, among working-aged adults and children, IRDs were the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness (103 persons, 14.1%). Conclusion These data show that IRDs are the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in working-aged persons and children in Austria. Thus, these findings suggest to draw attention to enhance further research in the fields of emerging therapies for IRDs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Astley ◽  
D P Chew ◽  
W Keech ◽  
S Nicholls ◽  
J Beltrame ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Despite guidelines recommending referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR), attendance remains poor. Literature cites a complexity of clinical, psychological and social factors as barriers to CR attendance and, females may attend less than males. Social factors including work commitments, may influence attendance, with many Australian CR programs offered during office hours, making access difficult. The Australian retirement age for females and males differs; (females >60 years and males >65 years). We hypothesised that working-age may influence attendance to CR. Purpose In a CR-referred population this study sought to compare working-age of males and females and the association with CR attendance. Methods Data from 24 country and metropolitan CR services between 2013 and 2015 were linked to 49,909 CR-eligible patients defined as, discharged alive with a primary cardiac-related diagnosis and/or interventional procedure, identified through public hospital administrative data (Figure). Only CR-referred patients were included, with males and females categorised by three age groups: <60, 60–65 and >65 years, comparing attendance in univariate analysis. Adjustment for clinical and psychological (International Classification of Disease-10 Australian Modification mental health diagnostic-related group diagnoses) factors were conducted using multi-logistic regression. Results Between 2013–2015, 15,089 patients were referred to CR with 4,819 <60 years, 1,943 between 60–65 years and 8,327 >65 years. Of referrals a total of 4,286 (28.4%) attended CR, 1134 (35%) of whom were female. Univariate analysis observed total attendance by age group ranged between 26–32%, with females less likely to attend than males (<60 years; 25.3% v 32.2%, p<0.001, 60–65 years; 29.5% v 33.2%, p=0.130 and >65 years; 23.2% v 23.6%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis observed more attendance in the 60–65 years group compared to <60 years (odds ratio (OR): 1.15 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.32], p=0.036) with females less likely to attend than males (OR: 0.81, [95% CI; 0.70–0.95], p=0.009). No interaction between the working age classification and gender were observed. Conclusion In an Australian cohort, working-age observed no influence on cardiac rehabilitation program attendance, with the period of female retirement age observing a 19% reduction in attendance. Further research on the complexity of factors that may be barriers to attendance is essential to evaluate how to improve cardiac rehabilitation programs to better suit the needs of our cardiac patients. Acknowledgement/Funding Flinders University partnership grant and South Australian Department of Health Local Health Networks


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 955-961
Author(s):  
A. S. Apostolova ◽  
A. V. Malyshev ◽  
A. A. Bashko ◽  
A. A. Sergienko ◽  
E. V. Kudryavceva

Purpose: to study the state and dynamics of changes in primary ocular disability in the period 2016–2018 by nosological forms. A complete retrospective study was made based on the data of the MSE (medical and social expertise) Bureau’s reporting documents. The following indicators of primary disability (per 10 thousand population) were registered from 2016 till 2018: among the adult population (18 years and older) 69,0–70,7–68,6 respectively; among the able-bodied population 42,8–44,1–41,1 respectively; among the population of retirement age — 125,1–126,4–124,6 accordingly. In the structure of primary disability of the adult population by severity for the period 2016–2018, the dynamics recorded an increase in the proportion of 1 group and 3 group with a decrease in the share of disability of 2 group. In the nosological structure of primary disability of the adult population in 2016–2017–2018, eye diseases account for 3 %, 3 % and 3.2 %, respectively, of all first recognized as disabled. There has been an increase in first-time applicants to the MSE Bureau. In the nosological structure of primary disability, the percentage of glaucoma patients over the past period is 47–33–32.5 % of the total number of primary disability for eye diseases, which determines the 1st rank. There is a progressive increase in the number of people with disabilities due to glaucoma of group 1 and group 2 throughout the study period. In the nosological structure of primary disability for 2016–2018 the percentage of patients with retinal diseases is 25–23–23.8 % of the total number of primary disability for eye diseases, which corresponds to the 2nd rank. There is a progressive increase in the number of disabled people in group 2. A low proportion of persons of working age in the structure of primary ocular disability was noted. A consistently high share of primary disability and a progressive increase in severe disability combined with an increase in persons of retirement age in the Krasnodar region forms an unfavorable forecast for an increase in the number of blind and visually impaired residents of the region.


2019 ◽  
pp. 80-86
Author(s):  
T. P. Skufina ◽  
S. V. Baranov

The presented study considers the susceptibility of gross domestic product (GDP) production to a shift in the number of the working-age population due to an increase in retirement age starting with 2019.Aim. The study aims to examine the quantitative assessments of GDP production in Russia with allowance for the changes in the number of the working-age population due to an increase in the actual retirement age.Tasks. The authors forecast the number of the working-age population with allowance for an increase in the retirement age; develop a model to establish a correlation between the number of the workingage population, investment in fixed capital, and GDP production; quantify the impact of the shift in the number of the working-age population on GDP production in Russia. Methods. This study is based on the results of modeling and long-term forecasting.Results. An economic-mathematical model to establish a correlation between the number of the working-age population, investment in fixed capital, and GDP production is presented. To specify the economic effects of a shift in the number of the working-age population due to an increase in the retirement age, Russia’s GDP production is forecasted for the “old” and “new” (increased retirement age) pension scheme. The forecast is provided for three variants of the number of the working-age population.Conclusions. It is found that with the “old” pension scheme with a lower retirement age GDP production across all three variants will decrease by 2036 compared to 2017. With regard to the “new” scheme that increases the retirement age, it is concluded that an increase in the retirement age is a factor that facilitates GDP production. However, its effect on economic growth will be insignificant.


2021 ◽  
pp. 011719682110685
Author(s):  
Ma. Reinaruth D. Carlos ◽  
Jeff Plantilla

Migrants nearing retirement age face issues and challenges distinct from those of migrants in their working age. Yet, their well-being has not been fully addressed because of lack of data. Drawing from the results of a survey of Filipinos residing in the Chugoku region in Western Japan ( n = 481), this study contributes to the literature on the aging-migration nexus by exploring migrants’ anxiety toward retirement and intended country of retirement. The results have crucial implications not only on migrants’ plans for retirement but also on the provision of social protection in both the host and the origin countries.


Author(s):  
В.Ю. Бабышев ◽  
Г. А. Барышева

В статье рассматривается занятость лиц пожилого возраста в условиях сорвеменных технологических, медицинских и демографических изменений. Актуальность темы исследования обусловлена демографическим старением населения, современными достижениями медицины и изменением характера трудовых операций в результате научно-технического прогресса. В данной статье проверены следующие конкурирующие гипотезы: производительность работников старших возрастных групп находится ниже уровня рентабельности из-за неуклонного ухудшения здоровья или, наоборот, ценность работников старших возрастных групп на современном рынке труда возрастает из-за повышения роли опыта, навыков и квалификации. Дополнительно проанализирован вопрос влияния систем пенсионного обеспечения на мотивацию лиц пожилого возраста к продолжению трудовой деятельности. Для проверки данных гипотез на основе статистики Организации экономического сотрудничества и развития проведен анализ общего уровня занятости, участия в рабочей силе и безработицы, а также временной и неполной занятости по нескольким возрастным группам в диапазоне 15-65 лет и старше. Для оценки динамики проанализирована ситуация на 2000 и 2019 гг. В целом сделан вывод, что количественные и качественные параметры занятости у работников старших возрастных групп уступают среднему рабочему возрасту, однако во временной динамике использование человеческого капитала лиц пожилого возраста растет. В области геронтологии рекомендовано уделять повышенное внимание улучшению здоровья возрастной когорты 65 лет и старше и изменению трудового законодательства в плане стимулирования продолжения трудовой деятельности после официального наступления пенсионного возраста. The article examines the employment of older people in the context of disrupted technological, medical and demographic changes. The relevance of the research topic is due to the demographic aging of the population, modern medical advances and changes in the nature of labor operations as a result of scientific and technological progress. In this article, the following competing hypotheses are tested: the productivity of older workers is below the level of profitability due to a steady decline in health, or vice versa, the value of older workers in the modern labor market is increasing due to the increasing role of experience, skills and qualifications. Additionally, the question of the impact of pension systems on the motivation of older people to continue working is analyzed. To test these hypotheses, based on OECD statistics, we analyzed the overall level of employment, labor force participation and unemployment, as well as temporary and underemployment for several age groups in the range of 15-65+ years. To assess the dynamics, the situation for 2000 and 2019 was analyzed. In general, the author concludes that the quantitative and qualitative parameters of employment of older people are inferior to the average working age, but over time, the use of the human capital of older people is growing. In the field of gerontology, it is recommended to pay increased attention to improving the health of the 65+ age cohort and changing labor legislation in order to stimulate the continuation of work.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e101072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Mitchell ◽  
Neil Bressler ◽  
Quan V. Doan ◽  
Chantal Dolan ◽  
Alberto Ferreira ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-380
Author(s):  
A. G. Sonis ◽  
O. A. Gusyakova ◽  
F. N. Gilmiyarova ◽  
A. A. Ereshchenko ◽  
N. K. Ignatova ◽  
...  

Epidemiological situation describing global measles spread is ambiguous. Along with countries succeeded in measles eradication, there are those wherein measles rate remains at quite high level. Because measles is a vaccine-preventable infection, it may then be eradicated solely by ensuring sufficient population coverage with preventive vaccination. The aim of our study was to assess level of measles immunity in medical workers at the Clinics of Samara State Medical University as well as the Samara State Medical University. There were enrolled 1503 subjects (aged 18–79 years), among which all individuals under 55 (77.58%) but not older counterparts provided with medical record on previous measles vaccination or measles infection. Level of serum measles virus-specific IgG antibodies was measured by using ELISA (VektoKor-IgG, JSC Vector-Best, Novosibirsk), with mean concentration ranging in general population within 1.02±0.02 IU/ ml. Positive results were observed in 72.52% of the examined individuals. Average vs. high measles virus-specific IgG level was detected in 52.90% (mean age — 41.4±0.5 years) and 19.62% (mean age — 54.2±0.72 years) of individuals, whereas at level below threshold — in 27.48% of subjects (mean age — 33.25±0.53 years). Thus, in 34.16% of the surveyed vaccinated individuals mostly presented by young subjects contained anti-measles virus-specific antibodies below protective level. Older age groups were shown to increase in average IgG amount with age. Interestingly, age-related measles immunity pattern was observed: percentage of subjects with high vs. low measles virus-specific IgG level increases and decreases, respectively. Taking into consideration a large percentage of subjects previously vaccinated against measles among carriers of low measles immunity, it may be concluded that measles virus-specific IgG antibody level must be monitored in young adulthood to decide of whether subsequent revaccination is necessary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-11
Author(s):  
E. K. Kukubasov ◽  
A. R. Satanova ◽  
R. O. Bolatbekova ◽  
D. B. Kaldibekov ◽  
А. А. Kurmanova ◽  
...  

Relevance: According to Globocan 2018, ovarian cancer (OC) ranks 18th among all other cancers affecting women around the world. More than 295,414 new cases of OC were reported only in 2018. The incidence is low in Western Europe and is high in Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. In 2018, ovarian malignancies ranked 8th (3.1%) in Kazakhstan among all malignant tumors. At that, there are no clearly recognized preventative measures to ensure the early detection of OC. 70% of ovarian malignancies are detected at stage III-IV. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis and assessment of the dynamics of the prevalence of OC in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2013-2018. Results: The analysis of age-related OC incidence in Kazakhstan showed the presence of ovarian malignancies in all age groups, with a marked increase by the age of 65-69 years. The majority of patients were women of the working age. Differences were found in the incidence rates by regions of the country. In the study period, the incidence was high in Qostanai, Pavlodar, and North Kazakhstan regions (northern part of the country) and Almaty. The incidence was below the national average in Atyrau, Jambyl, and South Kazakhstan regions (southern and western parts of the country). Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in OC incidence in East Kazakhstan and Karaganda regions. Conclusion: The analysis of OC prevalence in the Republic of Kazakhstan and by regions showed an increase in OC incidence. There is a marked increase in OC detection in the northern areas of the country and a decrease in the number of cases in the south.


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