Effects of duration and number of symptoms on vision-related anxiety in patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases

ABSTRACT

Background

Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are at increased risk for vision-related anxiety due to progressive and irreversible vision loss, yet little is known about risk factors for anxiety in these patients.

Materials and Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional study at a large academic center. 128 adults with an IRD and without other significant eye conditions were recruited between December 2016 and March 2020. Participants were asked about the duration and number of symptoms they had in the following vision domains: reading, contrast vision, color vision, glare/light sensitivity, night vision, and peripheral vision. The outcomes of interest were the two domains of the Michigan Vision-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (MVAQ), rod- and cone-function related anxiety. We conducted an adjusted analysis to isolate the independent effect of duration and number of symptoms on vision-related anxiety.

Results

Of 126 participants had complete data, 62 (49%) were female and 64 (51%) were male, with an average age of 49 years (range: 18–87). Patients with duration of symptoms for greater than 25 years had an adjusted anxiety theta that was one-half standard deviations lower than patients with symptoms for less time. Patients with higher number of symptoms had higher anxiety theta after adjusting for confounding variables (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The number of symptoms but not the duration of symptoms, is an independent risk factor for vision-related anxiety. Patients with more symptoms are at higher risk for vision-related anxiety. Having symptoms for longer than 25 years may reduce this anxiety.

KEY POINTS

Question: How does the duration and number of symptoms that patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases have affect their vision-related anxiety?

Findings: In this cross-sectional study of 126 patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases, the number of symptoms, but not the duration of symptoms, was associated with higher vision-related anxiety. Patients with symptoms for longer than 25 years had less vision-related anxiety.

Meaning: Patients with more vision-related symptoms may experience more vision-related anxiety.

KEYWORDS:

• Inherited retinal diseases
• vision-related anxiety
• anxiety
• low-vision
• patient-reported outcomes

Acknowledgements

Lilia Popova, Alison Mondul, Rebhi O. Abuzaitoun, and Chris Andrews conducted and are responsible for the data analysis. K. Thiran Jayasundera had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Disclosure statement

The University of Michigan has copyrighted the two PRO tools referenced in this publication, the Michigan Retinal Degeneration Questionnaire (MRDQ) and the Michigan Vision Anxiety Questionnaire (MVAQ).

Data availability statement

Raw data were generated at the Kellogg Eye Center at Michigan Medicine. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [KTJ] on request.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13816810.2022.2144901

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Jayasundera was funded by K23 EY026985-01.