1. Cognitive Impairment among Veterans in Outpatient Vision Rehabilitation
- Author
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John A. Dziadul, Kelly W. Muir, Joan A. Stelmack, Sandra Woolson, Eleanor S. McConnell, Robert W. Massof, Maren K. Olsen, Stephanie M. Ferguson, and Heather E. Whitson
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Longitudinal study ,genetic structures ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Visual Acuity ,Vision, Low ,Affect (psychology) ,Ambulatory Care Facilities ,Article ,Sickness Impact Profile ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Activities of Daily Living ,Prevalence ,medicine ,Humans ,Cognitive Dysfunction ,Vision rehabilitation ,Veterans Affairs ,health care economics and organizations ,Aged ,Veterans ,Aged, 80 and over ,Rehabilitation ,business.industry ,Cognition ,Middle Aged ,United States ,humanities ,Ophthalmology ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Treatment Outcome ,Reading ,Telephone interview ,Physical therapy ,Eye disorder ,Female ,business ,Follow-Up Studies ,Optometry - Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Outpatient vision rehabilitation improves function in veterans with vision impairment, but the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the degree to which it may affect rehabilitation outcomes in the Veterans Affairs system are unknown. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among veterans receiving outpatient vision rehabilitation in the Veterans Affairs system and compare the benefits of rehabilitation in veterans with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS We conducted cognitive assessments and a nested longitudinal cohort study in veterans with eye disorders at two outpatient rehabilitation sites. Cognition was assessed with the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status administered in person. Eligible veterans and their companions in the longitudinal study responded to questions about the veteran's function at baseline and 90 days later. Visual function was measured with the 48-item Low Vision Visual Function Questionnaire (LV-VFQ-48) and items from the Activity Inventory. RESULTS Of 291 veterans assessed (mean ± standard deviation age, 78.2 ± 12 years), 136 (46.7%) were cognitively intact (Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status scores, ≥33), whereas 58 (19.9%) had borderline scores of 30 to 32, 82 (28.2%) had scores suggesting mild/moderate cognitive impairment (scores of 20 to 29), and 15 (5.2%) had scores suggesting severe cognitive impairment (score of
- Published
- 2020
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