THE INTERACTION OF VISUAL ACUITY AND PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE WITH BALANCE: CANADIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGING. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vafaei, A; Aubin, M; Buhrmann, R; Kergoat, M; Aljied, R; Freeman, E
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 521
• Page End: 521
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1927
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Interactions between vision and chronic conditions affecting other balance control systems have rarely been investigated. We hypothesized that visual acuity would be more strongly related to balance in older adults with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or diabetes. Methods: Cross-sectional data of the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging were used. Participants included 30, 097 community-dwelling adults between 45 and 85 years old. Visual acuity was measured using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart at a 2-meter distance while wearing habitual distance correction. Poor balance was defined as being unable to stand on one leg for at least 60 seconds. PVD and diabetes were assessed by self-report of a physician diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression models were fit to access relationships of interest. Results: People who reported PVD (n=1, 295) were more likely to have worse balance (OR=1.48, 95%CI 1.26, 1.73). In those who no PVD, a 1-line worse score on the visual acuity test was associated with a 22% higher odds of being unable to stand for at least 60 seconds after adjustment for age, sex, education, province, body mass index, diabetes, and disability in activities of daily living (OR=1.22, 95%CI 1.19, 1.26). The relationship was almost two times stronger in participants with PVD (OR=1.38, 95%CI 1.19, 1.59) with a statistically significant interaction term (P=0.033). There was no statistically significant interaction between visual acuity and diabetes (P=0.139). Conclusions: Visual acuity and PVD interact in their relationship with balance. People with poor vision and PVD may be at higher risk of mobility difficulties.