Kurzfassung

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive disease that can cause visual impairment and is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In recent years health related quality of life (QoL) has gained more importance among physicians and other health professionals. Depression is a frequent comorbid condition observed in chronic diseases such as glaucoma. In the past years it has been debated whether depression is increased in glaucoma patients or not. While Wilson et al. showed that glaucoma patients...Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive disease that can cause visual impairment and is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In recent years health related quality of life (QoL) has gained more importance among physicians and other health professionals. Depression is a frequent comorbid condition observed in chronic diseases such as glaucoma. In the past years it has been debated whether depression is increased in glaucoma patients or not. While Wilson et al. showed that glaucoma patients are not more depressed than patients without glaucoma, most of the studies showed a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among glaucoma patients. The prevalence of depression in subjects with glaucoma has been estimated by previous studies to be between 10% and 12%. Anxiety usually coexists with depression and similarly like depression also anxiety disorders may rise in subjects with glaucoma due to the fear of potential blindness and restrictions in everyday activities (8). Patients with visual impairment or with the mere diagnosis of a progressive, irreversible disease could have a higher risk for depression and anxiety and are possibly impaired in their QoL. Reduced quality of life results for example through driving limitations and fear of falling. There are some community-based studies analyzing the prevalence of depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients, but so far no study with an European cohort. We will use data from Gutenberg Health Study to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among subjects with self-reported glaucoma, to analyze the role of depression and anxiety for visual QoL, and to identify risk factors for both psychological disturbances in subjects with glaucoma. Furthermore we will investigate the relationship between these two mental disorders and other comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and (chronic obstructive) pulmonary diseases. Because of controversial data concerning topical β-blockers as a risk factor for depression, we will also investigate this possible association.» weiterlesen» einklappen