Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate personality and behavior characteristics of screening attendees and to determine which characteristics predict follow–up.
Methods: :
130 participants attending 15 community glaucoma screenings were administered self–report measures of avoidance (AAQ–9), psychological distress (BSI–18) and HRQOL (SF36v2).
Results: :
Mean age was 63 SD=16 (range 26–92). Scores on the SF–36 PCS (Physical Component Score) and SF–36 MCS (Mental Component Score) were significantly lower than age–matched community norms (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively). Subjects under age 65 reported more symptoms of avoidance and psychological distress than their elder counterparts (p<0.05). Experiential avoidance (p=0.67) and psychological distress (p=0.38) were not significant predictors of follow–up. However, SF–36 PCS score was found to significantly predict follow–up (p<0.05). Overall, PCS score accurately predicted those who did not follow–up 91% of the time.
Conclusions: :
While psychological distress and overall mental HRQOL differed from community norms, they did not significantly predict follow–up. However, those who endorsed increased pain, fatigue, limitations in physical health, self–care, and social and role activities were more likely not to follow–up than those who reported good physical HRQOL. This suggests it will be important to identify screening attendees who endorse poorer physical HRQOL at initial diagnosis of Glaucoma and implement follow–up reminders and assistance for this particular group early on in the treatment process.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower • quality of life • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials