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178327 Computer use by patients with age-related macular degeneration: Implications for a self-care program without borders

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 11:06 AM

Barbara L. Brody, MPH , Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Anne-Catherine Roch-Levecq, PhD , Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Linda C. Field, MA , Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Colin Depp, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Stuart I. Brown, MD , Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Objectives: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of incurable vision loss in older adults in industrialized countries and is on a trajectory to disable a growing number of persons as societies age. We showed in an RCT that an AMD self-management group program could improve quality of life by reducing emotional distress and disability and preventing depression in participants compared to controls. To assess expansion of this program using the internet, the present study examined the extent of computer use in a sample of older adults with AMD.

Methods: Cross sectional study of a sample of 132 older adults (mean age=76.4, SD=7.25; 53% female) with AMD randomly selected from a study population of members of the San Diego County AMD Registry. Subjects were interviewed using a battery of medical and psycho-social questionnaires and examined by an ophthalmologist. Statistical analyses using non-parametric tests were performed to assess factors associated with computer use.

Results: 104 (78.8%) (mean age=75.6, SD=6.7) reported having computers with 80 (76.9%= 80/104) using computers at least weekly to access the internet. Computer users were more likely to be younger (<75), p=.005, to have better vision, p≤.04, (Best LogMar mean=0.26 vs. 0.52), and more education, p =.005, M=15.8 (SD=2.9) vs. M=13.9 (SD=3.05).

Conclusions: The extent of reported computer by older adults with age-related macular degeneration supports further study of the provision of an AMD self-management program without borders using the internet to expand self-care knowledge and skills.

Learning Objectives:
1. List 3 characteristics of older adults with age-related macular degeneration that are associated with using the computer to access the internet. 2. Recognize the potential of the internet for the development of self-management programs without borders for older adults with age-related macular degeneration.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am responsible for the study concept and design, acquisition of subjects and data, analysis and interpretation of results and preparation of the abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Healthcare Practices and Utilization Among Older Adults
See more of: Gerontological Health