Prevalence and risk factors for impaired activities of daily living in patients with wet AMD 

Key Takeaways

• Moderate visual impairment and blindness due to wet AMD are associated with greater odds of impairment in activities of daily living.
• Better vision and medical quality of life scores are associated with decreased odds of impairment in activities of daily living.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and related impaired activities of daily living (ADLs) among a group of 437 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) coming for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The cohort was given the Older American Resources and Services Scale (OARS) to assess impairments in basic (skills required to manage one’s basic physical needs such as grooming, dressing, eating), instrumental (more complex activities such as managing finances, food preparation, housekeeping, and laundry), and total ADL. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with ADL impairment. 

The prevalence of impaired basic, instrumental and total ADL among patients with wet AMD was 37.76%, 67.82% and 39.59%, respectively. Using statistical models, the researchers found that moderate visual impairment or blindness was associated with greater odds of impaired total ADL. Depressive symptoms, the presence of any disability and never driving were also positively associated with total ADL impairment. Better vision-related quality of life (QoL) was inversely associated with impaired instrumental ADL while higher health-related QoL scores were associated with decreased odds of total ADL impairment.

Edited by Miriam Kaplan, PhD

Source: Kim Van Vu, et al; Eye Journal, February 19, 2024; DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-02983-9