Memory Deficit Associated with Worse Functional Trajectories in Older Adults in Low-Vision Rehabilitation for Macular Disease

作者：Whitson Heather E^*; Whitaker Diane; Sanders Linda L; Potter Guy G; Cousins Scott W; Ansah Deidra; McConnell Eleanor; Pieper Carl F; Landerman Lawrence; Steffens David C; Cohen Harvey J

来源：Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2012, 60(11): 2087-2092.

DOI：10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04194.x

• age-related macular degeneration
• comorbidity
• disability
• cognitive impairment

Objectives To examine whether performance on a brief memory test is related to functional outcomes in older individuals undergoing low-vision rehabilitation (LVR) for macular disease.
Design Observational cohort study of individuals receiving outpatient LVR.
Setting Academic center.
Participants Ninety-one individuals (average age 80.1) with macular disease.
Measurements Memory was assessed at baseline using a 10-word list; memory deficit was defined as immediate recall of two or fewer words. Vision-related function was measured using the 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) administered at baseline and during subsequent interviews (mean follow-up, 115 days). Linear mixed models were constructed to compare average trajectories of four VFQ-25 subscales: near activities, distance activities, dependency, and role difficulty.
Results The 29.7% of participants with memory deficits tended to decline in ability to accomplish activities that involved near vision. Controlling for age, sex, and education, the functional trajectory of participants with memory deficit differed significantly from that of those with better memory (P = .002), who tended to report improvements in ability to accomplish near activities.
Conclusion Of older adults receiving LVR for macular disease, those with memory deficits experienced worse functional trajectories in their ability to perform specific visually mediated tasks. A brief memory screen may help explain variability in rehabilitation outcomes and identify individuals who might require special accommodations. J Am Geriatr Soc 60: 2087-2092, 2012.

• 出版日期2012-11