Effect of Visual Impairment on Physical and Cognitive Function in Old Age: Findings of a Population‐Based Prospective Cohort Study in Germany. Issue 11 (27th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hajek, André; Brettschneider, Christian; Lühmann, Dagmar; Eisele, Marion; Mamone, Silke; Wiese, Birgitt; Weyerer, Siegfried; Werle, Jochen; Pentzek, Michael; Fuchs, Angela; Riedel‐Heller, Steffi G.; Luck, Tobias; Bickel, Horst; Weeg, Dagmar; Koppara, Alexander; Wagner, Michael; Scherer, Martin; Maier, Wolfgang; König, Hans‐Helmut
• Other Names: Abholz Heinz‐Harald investigator.; Bachmann Cadja investigator.; Blank Wolfgang investigator.; van den Bussche Hendrik investigator.; Eifflaender‐Gorfer Sandra investigator.; Ernst Annette investigator.; Heser Kathrin investigator.; Jessen Frank investigator.; Kaduszkiewicz Hanna investigator.; Kaufeler Teresa investigator.; Köhler Mirjam investigator.; Lange Carolin investigator.; Lubisch Diana investigator.; Luppa Melanie investigator.; Mayer Manfred investigator.; Mösch Edelgard investigator.; Olbrich Julia investigator.; Posselt Tina investigator.; Prokein Jana investigator.; Röhr Susanne investigator.; Schumacher Anna investigator.; Stein Janine investigator.; Steinmann Susanne investigator.; Tebarth Franziska investigator.; Weckbecker Klaus investigator.; Wolfsgruber Steffen investigator.; Zimmermann Thomas investigator.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 64:Issue 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 2311
• Page End: 2316
• Publication Date: 2016-09-27
• Subjects: visual impairment -- physical function -- cognitive function -- older people -- longitudinal study; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14458
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To examine how visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Design: A longitudinal population‐based prospective cohort study. Setting: General practitioner offices at six study centers in Germany. They were observed every 1.5 years over four waves. Participants: Individuals aged 77–101 at follow‐up Wave 2 (N = 2, 394). Measurements: Physical and cognitive function were assessed using an adapted scale that had been previously developed, and visual impairment was rated on a Likert scale (none, mild, severe or profound). Results: Adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity, linear fixed‐effects regression showed that the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with a decline in physical function score in the total sample ( β = −0.15, P = .01) and in women ( β = −.15, P = .03). Moreover, the onset of severe visual impairment was associated with decline in cognitive function score in the total sample ( β = −0.38, P < .001) and in women ( β = −0.38, P < .001) and men ( β = −0.37, P = .001). Conclusion: Visual impairment affects physical and cognitive function in old age. Interventional strategies to postpone visual impairment may contribute to maintaining physical and cognitive function.