Projects per year
Abstract
Background: Visual impairment (VI) is rising in prevalence and contributing to increasing morbidity, particularly among older people. Understanding patients' problems is fundamental to achieving optimal health outcomes but little is known about how VI impacts on self-management of medication.
Aim: To compare issues relating to medication self-management between older people with and without VI.
Design and setting: Case-control study with participants aged =65 years, prescribed at least two long-term oral medications daily, living within the community.
Method: The study recruited 156 patients with VI (best corrected visual acuity [BCVA] 6/18 to 3/60) at low-vision clinics; community optometrists identified 158 controls (BCVA 6/9 or better). Researchers visited participants in their homes, administered two validated questionnaires to assess medication adherence (Morisky; Medication Adherence Report Scale [MARS]), and asked questions about medication self-management, beliefs, and support.
Results: Approximately half of the participants in both groups reported perfect adherence on both questionnaires (52.5% Morisky; 43.3%, MARS). Despite using optical aids, few (3%) with VI could read medication information clearly; 24% had difficulty distinguishing different tablets. More people with VI (29%) than controls (13%) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6 to 5.0) needed help managing their medication, from friends (19% versus 10%) or pharmacists (10% versus 2.5%; OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.4 to 13.5); more received social service support (OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 3.9 to 12.9).
Conclusion: Compared to their peers without VI, older people with VI are more than twice as likely to need help in managing medication. In clinical practice in primary care, patients' needs for practical support in taking prescribed treatment must be recognised. Strategies for effective medication self-management should be explored.
Aim: To compare issues relating to medication self-management between older people with and without VI.
Design and setting: Case-control study with participants aged =65 years, prescribed at least two long-term oral medications daily, living within the community.
Method: The study recruited 156 patients with VI (best corrected visual acuity [BCVA] 6/18 to 3/60) at low-vision clinics; community optometrists identified 158 controls (BCVA 6/9 or better). Researchers visited participants in their homes, administered two validated questionnaires to assess medication adherence (Morisky; Medication Adherence Report Scale [MARS]), and asked questions about medication self-management, beliefs, and support.
Results: Approximately half of the participants in both groups reported perfect adherence on both questionnaires (52.5% Morisky; 43.3%, MARS). Despite using optical aids, few (3%) with VI could read medication information clearly; 24% had difficulty distinguishing different tablets. More people with VI (29%) than controls (13%) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6 to 5.0) needed help managing their medication, from friends (19% versus 10%) or pharmacists (10% versus 2.5%; OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.4 to 13.5); more received social service support (OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 3.9 to 12.9).
Conclusion: Compared to their peers without VI, older people with VI are more than twice as likely to need help in managing medication. In clinical practice in primary care, patients' needs for practical support in taking prescribed treatment must be recognised. Strategies for effective medication self-management should be explored.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e530 |
Pages (from-to) | 530-537 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | British Journal of General Practice |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 601 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2012 |
Keywords
- medication adherence
- older people
- prescriptions
- primary care
- visually impaired
- persons
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Family Practice
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Help needed in medication self-management for people with visual impairment: case-control study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
R1925CPS: UKCRC Public Health Research Centre of Excellence <MED/BIOLOG/AGRIC/MATHS/MANA ECON/SOCIOLOGY>
Kee, F. (PI), Campbell, D. (CoI), Cantwell, M. (CoI), Cupples, M. (CoI), Donnelly, M. (CoI), Hutchinson, G. (CoI), Longo, A. (CoI), Marshall, A. (CoI), McCann, J. (CoI), McKinley, M. (CoI), Moore, M. (CoI), Murray, L. (CoI), O'Reilly, D. (CoI), Patterson, C. (CoI), Prior, L. (CoI), Woodside, J. (CoI) & Young, I. (CoI)
01/08/2007 → 28/02/2014
Project: Research
Research output
- 56 Citations
- 1 Article
-
Improving healthcare access for people with visual impairment and blindness
Cupples, M., Hart, P., Johnston, A. & Jackson, A. J., 30 Jan 2012, In: British Medical Journal (Clinical Research). 344, 7842, e542.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile58 Citations (Scopus)12292 Downloads (Pure)