Impact of blindness, visual impairment and cataract surgery on quality of life and visual functioning among adults aged 40 years and above in Sri Lanka

Abstract Purpose To study the prevalence and incidence of the most common eye diseases and their relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, psychological distress, and visual impairment in the aging population of Finland. Methods Our study was based on two nationwide health surveys conducted in 2000 and 2011. Eye disease status data were obtained from 7379 and 5710 individuals aged 30 + years, of whom 4620 partook in both time points. Both surveys included identical indicators of HRQoL (EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], 15D), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12]), visual acuity, and self-reported eye diseases. We assessed the impact of known eye diseases on these factors, adjusted for age, gender, and co-morbidities. Results Prevalence of self-reported eye diseases was 3.1/2.7% for glaucoma, 8.1/11.4% for cataract, and 3.4/3.8% for retinal degeneration in 2000 and 2011, and the average incidence between 2000 and 2011 was 22, 109, and 35 /year/10,000 individuals, respectively. These eye diseases were associated with a significant decrease in EQ-5D and 15D index scores in both time points. BDI and GHQ-12 scores were also worsened, with some variation between different eye diseases. Impaired vision was, however, the strongest determinant of declined HRQoL. During the 11-year follow-up the effect of eye diseases on HRQoL and mental health diminished. Conclusion Declined HRQoL associated with eye diseases is more related to impaired vision than the awareness of the disease itself, and this declining effect diminished during the follow-up. Therefore, information directed to the public on the risks and prevention of blindness can and should be strengthened to prevent the deleterious effects of visual impairment.

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In India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Quality of Life Weighs Heavily

The Hastings Center Report ◽

10.2307/3563110 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

K. N. Siva Subramanian

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sri Lanka

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Visual Functioning and Quality of Life under Low Luminance: Evaluation of the German Low Luminance Questionnaire

Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science ◽

10.1167/iovs.11-7858 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 8241 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Robert P. Finger ◽

Eva Fenwick ◽

Cynthia Owsley ◽

Frank G. Holz ◽

Ecosse L. Lamoureux

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Visual Functioning ◽

Low Luminance

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Factors associated with quality of life among cancer patients in Sri Lanka

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20182603 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (7) ◽

pp. 2705 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dilka Rukshani ◽

Pabasara Kahandawala ◽

Kasun Jayawardana ◽

Dilan Karunarathne ◽

Lahiru S. Galgamuwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Family Support ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Modern Method ◽

Value Systems ◽

Continuous Family ◽

Incurable Disease ◽

Education Status

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is individuals’ perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is an effective modern method of early identification of chronic incurable disease patients. This study was designed to determine the level and the possible contributory factors of quality of life in heterogeneous groups of cancer patients in Sri Lanka.Methods: This study was conducted at National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka. WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess QOL of cancer patients. Multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate the associations of demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and social support status with the quality of life measures.Results: 167 of cancer patients were participated. The mean overall QOL score was 53.07±SD 12.68. Higher QOL was associated with patients who were married, higher educated, employed, had good family support and longer duration of illness. Significantly lower QOL was found in those who involved on radiotherapy treatments and feeling alone. Marital status, education status, comorbidity, family support and feeling alone were identified as predictors for QOL among the study group.Conclusions: The overall QOL score was considerably low in our study. Continuous family support and good education may significantly improve the QOL of cancer patients. Psychosocial and awareness programs to the family members and neighbours should be implemented to enhance the quality of life of cancer patients.

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Burnout and Quality of Life Among Massage Therapists with Visual Impairment

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation ◽

10.1007/s10926-018-9793-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 384-394 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Magdalena Wrzesińska ◽

Katarzyna Binder ◽

Klaudia Tabała ◽

Anna Lipert ◽

Elżbieta Miller

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Massage Therapists

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Health-related Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) of an agricultural Community in Kebithigollawa, Sri Lanka

Journal of Clinical and Medical Research ◽

10.37191/mapsci-2582-4333-3(3)-071 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nishantha Kumarasinghe

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Early Assessment ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Background: The significant increase in the burden of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) of Sri Lanka has led to evaluate the factors related to physical, social and mental aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in CKDu patients. Methods: The quality of life of 84 CKDu patients (stages 1-5) were assessed by means of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short-Form survey (KDQOL™-36) Version 1.3 along with biomarkers and patient demographics. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Results: KDQOL™-36 scores impaired substantially across all stages of CKDu and comparatively lower scores were present in later stages of the disease than the initial stages. The mental composite summary (MCS) scores were more impaired when compared to physical composite summary (PCS) scores during the early stage of the disease. Poor KDQOL™-36 scores were present in males than in females with a significant difference in MCS and social support scales. Biochemical parameters showed a significant correlation with the majority of KDQOL™-36 dimensions while urine albumin to creatinine ratio did not. Conclusion: CKDu patients in any stage of the disease despite their age and gender have a significant physical and mental health burden. Thereby, early assessment of health-related quality of life will help to identify high-risk patients, and modifying these factors may provide a better active and healthy lifestyle.

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Quality of Life and Symptom Burden among Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) Patients in Girandurukotte, Sri Lanka

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4041 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hansani Madushika Abeywickrama ◽

Swarna Wimalasiri ◽

Yu Koyama ◽

Mieko Uchiyama ◽

Utako Shimizu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Short Form ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Symptom Index ◽

The Mean ◽

Uncertain Etiology

Symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are important predictors of how a disease affects patients’ lives, especially for endemic health problems such as chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu). Our study describes symptom burden, HRQOL, and associated demographic and clinical variables in CKDu patients in the Girandurukotte area, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study included 120 CKDu patients attending the renal clinic in the endemic area. The instruments applied were the Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM) version 1.3 and CKD Symptom Index—Sri Lanka. Socio-demographic, disease-related, and anthropometric variables were also investigated. The mean age of patients was 61.87 (SD 11.31), while 69.2% were male. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 28.17 (SD 14.03) mL/min/1.73 min2, and 70.8% were anemic. Bone/joint pain was the most experienced symptom while the median number of symptoms reported by patients was 5 (IQR 3–7). The mean symptom burden, physical component summary, mental component summary, and kidney-disease-specific component scores were 12.71 (SD 10.45), 68.63 (SD 19.58), 78.53 (SD 18.78), and 81.57 (SD 5.86), respectively. Age was found to be a significant predictor of HRQOL, while hemoglobin level and being a farmer were significant predictors of symptom burden. Our data indicate that CKDu patients in all stages experience at least one symptom affecting all aspects of HRQOL.

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