Depressive symptoms in people with vision impairment: a cross-sectional study to identify who is most at risk

Nollett, C., Ryan, B., Bray, N., Bunce, C., Casten, R., Edwards, R. T., Gillespie, D., Smith, D. J. , Stanford, M. and Margrain, T. H. (2019) Depressive symptoms in people with vision impairment: a cross-sectional study to identify who is most at risk. BMJ Open, 9(1), e026163. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026163) (PMID:30782756)

Abstract

Objective: To identify the risk factors for significant depressive symptoms in people with visual impairment in England and Wales to provide information on who is most at risk and to whom support services could be targeted in future. Design: A cross-sectional study using baseline data from a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Setting and participants: 990 participants aged 18 or over attending 1 of 14 low-vision rehabilitation primary care optometry-based clinics in South Wales or two hospital clinics in London. Outcome measure: A score of ≥6 on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 was classed as clinically significant depressive symptoms. Results: In a multivariable logistic regression model, significant depressive symptoms were associated with age (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.82, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.90, p<0.001), ethnicity (AOR non-white compared with white=1.72, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.81, p=0.031), total number of eye conditions (AOR for two vs one condition=0.98, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.43; three or more vs one condition=0.34, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.75, p=0.026), self-reported health (AOR for excellent vs poor=0.01, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.12; very good vs poor=0.06, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.13; good vs poor=0.14, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.24; fair vs poor=0.28, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.46, p<0.001) and self-reported visual functioning (AOR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.31 to 1.61, p<0.001). Conclusion: Younger age, a non-white ethnicity, fewer eye conditions and poorer self-reported health and visual function are risk factors for significant depressive symptoms in this population. Trial registration number: ISRCTN46824140; Pre-results.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The work was supported by Guide Dogs grant number OR2009-07b.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smith, Professor Daniel
• Authors: Nollett, C., Ryan, B., Bray, N., Bunce, C., Casten, R., Edwards, R. T., Gillespie, D., Smith, D. J., Stanford, M., and Margrain, T. H.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: BMJ Open
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2044-6055
• ISSN (Online): 2044-6055
• Published Online: 17 January 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open 9(1):e026163
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License