Interaction Between Visual Acuity and Peripheral Vascular Disease with Balance. Issue 10 (22nd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vafaei, Afshin; Aubin, Marie‐Josée; Buhrmann, Ralf; Kergoat, Marie‐Jeanne; Aljied, Rumaisa; Freeman, Ellen E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 66:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1934
• Page End: 1939
• Publication Date: 2018-08-22
• Subjects: vision -- peripheral arterial disease -- proprioception -- CLSA; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15490
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To determine whether visual acuity is related to balance in older adults with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or diabetes mellitus. Design: Cross‐sectional analysis. Setting: Canada. Participants: Community‐dwelling adults aged 45 to 85 from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (N=30, 097). Measurements: Visual acuity was measured wearing habitual distance correction using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart at a 2‐m distance. Poor balance was defined as being unable to stand on 1 leg for at least 60 seconds. PVD and diabetes mellitus were assessed according to self‐report of a physician diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression was used. Results: People who reported PVD (n=1, 295) were more likely to have worse balance than those who did not (odds ratio (OR)=1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.29–1.77). In those who did not report PVD (n=26, 211), a 1‐line worse score on the visual acuity test was associated with 23% higher odds of being unable to stand for at least 60 seconds after adjusting for age, sex, education, province, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.20–1.26). In those who reported PVD, the odds of being unable to stand was almost double (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.22–1.62). The interaction between visual acuity and PVD was statistically significant (P=.02). Conclusions: Visual acuity and PVD interact in their relationship with balance. People with poor vision and PVD may be at an especially high risk of mobility difficulties.