Social isolation and its impact on the nature of changes in the quality of life in elderly patients with visual impairment

Objective. Determination of the nature of changes in the quality of life (QL) in social isolation and risk factors associated with it in elderly patients with visual impairment.

Material and methods. A clinical group was formed of 115 participants aged 60–74 years who were in conditions of social isolation with visual impairment for a month. In accordance with the Helsinki Declaration, social isolation was determined on the basis of a 15-point scale, the QL-questionnaire was used to measure changes in the QL and in its 4 factors, risk factors included socio-demographic, clinical categories and indicators of functional status.

Results. The results of linear mixed models with random intersections comparing QL indicators before (3,30) and after social isolation (1,78) were significant (p<0,001). During social isolation, 87% of participants with visual impairment had a decrease in quality of life (-2,39), while 13% of participants had an increase in QL (0,58). The following risk factors were associated with social isolation: low income (38%, p<0,001), lack of higher education (29%, p=0,002), lung disease (25%, p=0,04), functional or sensory disorders, including difficulties with cooking (28%, p=0,004), difficulty passing one quarter (26%, p=0,03), hearing impairment (23%, p=0,02) and visual impairment (24%, p=0,01). Gender (p=0,39), ongoing pain (p=0,75), difficulties with daily activities (p=0,09), urinary incontinence (p=0,82), diabetes mellitus (p=0,87) and cognitive impairment (p=0,06) were insignificant.

Conclusion. The period of social isolation led to a very significant decrease in the overall QL in the sample of elderly people with visual impairment. The leading risk factors for social exclusion were low income and lack of higher education.