L G Mogk, D Dahl, C Bruce, S Brafford
Henry Ford Health System, Visual Rehabilitation and Research Center, Grosse Pointe , United States
Background. Previous studies have shown a relationship between loss of function and depression. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of depression among seniors with vision loss, the contribution of chronic pain to depressionk and the impact of short term visual rehabilitation on long term depression.
Methods. 313 new senior patients were given the 15 question Geriatric Depression Scale. 274 were asked to rate chronic pain as zero to ten. Ten months (average) after a low vision evaluation and 4 to 8 hours of rehabilitation, the GDS questions were repeated by visit or phone to 66 patients and pain questions to 54 patients.
Results. Average GDS of 66 was 4.77 initially (5 plus represents depression), 4.44 on follow-up. Average initial pain score 3.38, follow-up 3.25. Of 29 patients with initial GDS 5 plus, average changed from 8 to 6.76. Average initial pain score with GDS 5 plus was 4.98, follow-up 4.86. Of 37 patients with GDS 4 minus, average changed from 2.24 to 2.652. Average pain scores with GDS changed from 2.20 to 2.18.
Conclusions. Forty-two percent initially scored as depressed. Of 66 followed up, 44% depressed initially and on follow-up, the score dropping slightly. Pain did not correlate to depression. The small decrease in score among the depressed group may suggest an effect of rehabilitation on the most needy patients. Increased numbers, shorter follow-up time, and follow-up functional assessment may be necessary to relate depression to short term rehabilitation.
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