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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-11-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Visual impairment in persons with psychotic disorder

Authors: Satu Viertiö, Arja Laitinen, Jonna Perälä, Samuli I. Saarni, Seppo Koskinen, Jouko Lönnqvist, Jaana Suvisaari

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2007

Abstract

Background

Persons with psychotic disorder may have poorer visual acuity (VA). The aim of the study is to investigate in a general population the prevalence of impaired habitual VA and self-reported difficulties in vision among persons with different psychotic disorders.

Method

A nationally representative sample of 6,663 persons aged 30 or older whose binocular VA for distance and for near vision was measured with current spectacles, if any. Diagnostic assessment of DSM-IV psychotic disorders used both SCID interview and case note data. Life-time ever diagnoses of psychotic disorders were classified into schizophrenia, other non-affective psychotic disorders and affective psychoses.

Results

After adjusting for age and sex, schizophrenia was associated with significantly increased odds of having visual impairment for distance (OR 5.04, P < 0.0001) and for near vision (OR 6.22, P < 0.0001), while other psychotic disorders were not. Self-reported problems in VA were more common in persons with schizophrenia and other non-affective psychotic disorders than in the remaining study sample. Only 43.9% of persons with schizophrenia, compared with 69.7% in the total sample (χ² = 13.79, d.f. 1, P = 0.0002), had had their vision examined during the 5 years before the VA measurement.

Conclusions

Because persons with schizophrenia attend vision examinations substantially less frequently than others, and their vision is notably weaker, regular ocular evaluations should be included in physical health monitoring in psychotic disorders.

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Title: Visual impairment in persons with psychotic disorder
Authors: Satu Viertiö
Arja Laitinen
Jonna Perälä
Samuli I. Saarni
Seppo Koskinen
Jouko Lönnqvist
Jaana Suvisaari
Publication date: 01-11-2007
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0252-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Visual impairment in persons with psychotic disorder

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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