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Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Whitson, HE; Malhotra, R; Chan, A; Matchar, DB; Østbye, T
Published in: Asia Pac J Public Health
May 2014

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and consequences of coexisting vision and cognitive impairments in an Asian population. Data were collected from 4508 community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 60 years and older. Cognition was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire whereas vision, disability, and self-rated health (SRH) were determined by self-report. Vision impairment was present in 902 (18.5%) participants and cognitive impairment in 835 (13.6%), with 232 (3.5%) participants experiencing both impairments. Persons with the comorbidity experienced higher odds of disability than persons with either single impairment. The association of vision impairment with SRH was stronger among women (odds ratio [OR] = 6.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.64-9.92) than among men (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.21-2.41). Concurrent cognitive and vision impairment is prevalent in older Singaporeans and is associated with high rates of disability. Gender differences in vision-dependent roles may affect the patient-perceived impact of this comorbidity.

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Published In

Asia Pac J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1941-2479

Publication Date

May 2014

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

310 / 319

Location

China

Related Subject Headings

  • Vision Disorders
  • Singapore
  • Sex Distribution
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Disabled Persons
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Whitson, H. E., Malhotra, R., Chan, A., Matchar, D. B., & Østbye, T. (2014). Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans. Asia Pac J Public Health, 26(3), 310–319. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539512443698
Whitson, Heather E., Rahul Malhotra, Angelique Chan, David B. Matchar, and Truls Østbye. “Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans.Asia Pac J Public Health 26, no. 3 (May 2014): 310–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539512443698.
Whitson HE, Malhotra R, Chan A, Matchar DB, Østbye T. Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2014 May;26(3):310–9.
Whitson, Heather E., et al. “Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans.Asia Pac J Public Health, vol. 26, no. 3, May 2014, pp. 310–19. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1010539512443698.
Whitson HE, Malhotra R, Chan A, Matchar DB, Østbye T. Comorbid visual and cognitive impairment: relationship with disability status and self-rated health among older Singaporeans. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2014 May;26(3):310–319.
Journal cover image

Published In

Asia Pac J Public Health

DOI

EISSN

1941-2479

Publication Date

May 2014

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

310 / 319

Location

China

Related Subject Headings

  • Vision Disorders
  • Singapore
  • Sex Distribution
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Disabled Persons