Frequency and associated risk factors of depression in patients with visual impairment

Objective: To determine the frequency and associated risk factors of depression in patients with visual impairment. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Mekran Medical College/ Turbat Teaching Hospital Kech Baluchistan from Feb 2021 to August 2021. All patients with age 18 years and above of either gender having visual impairment for at least 2 weeks duration were consecutively enrolled. Depression was measured using Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression. The standard cutoff point of 16 or more was used to classify patients with depressive symptoms. Results: Of total 375 patients, the mean age was 49.9 ± 9.1 years. There were 180 (48.0%) males and 195 (52.0%) females. Depression was observed in 210 (56.0%) patients. Of these 210 patients, mild level of depression was found higher as compared to moderate and severe i.e., 104 (50.0%), 93 (44.0%) and 13 (6.0%) respectively. A significantly higher odds of depression was found among male gender (aOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.06 – 3.48), rural residence (aOR 2.90, 95% CI 1.57 – 5.34), illiterate educational status (aOR 3.25, 95% CI 1.37 – 7.71), married individuals (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.06 – 4.51), diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.33 – 5.32), and epilepsy (aOR 3.72, 95% CI 1.17 – 11.8). Conclusion: A considerably higher prevalence of depression was observed in adults with visual impairment. Moreover, male gender, rural residence, married marital status, diabetes mellitus, and epilepsy were found as significant determinants of depression in visually impaired patients. (author)