Association Between Visual Impairment and Functional Dependence Among Older Adults in a Primary Care Setting

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年8月7日

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Muttaka Maude,
Godpower Chinedu Michael,
Salihu Tanko Tanimu

摘要

Background

Aging is one of several factors that contribute to the decline in functional status, which in turn affects quality of life. However, independent correlates of functional dependence among older adults utilizing primary care in resource-limited settings remain underexplored.

Objectives

This study examined whether visual impairment was independently associated with performance of Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) among older adults in a Nigerian primary care setting.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 280 patients aged ≥ 60 years were randomly selected from attendees at a Nigerian general outpatient clinic in 2019. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, selected clinical risk factors, BADL performance (using the Katz Index), and visual impairment (using the Snellen chart).

Results

Participants were mainly female (63.2%), Muslims (93.6%), with a mean age of 66.8 years. Of these, 42.1% had impaired vision, and 14.6% were functionally dependent. Significant associations were found between functional status and age (Fisher’s exact test = 23.49, P < 0.001), education (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.035), chronic morbidities (Fisher’s exact test, P < 0.001), body mass index and visual impairment (Fisher’s exact test, P < 0.001). However, age (≥ 85 years; OR = 10.28, 95% CI [2.14–49.36], P = 0.008), absence of low back pain and visual impairment (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03–1.16], P = 0.005) were independently associated with functional dependence. In contrast, absence of low back pain was independently associated with functional independence (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.14–0.77], P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Functional dependence was prevalent among older adults in this setting. Advanced age (≥ 85 years), low back pain, and visual impairment were independently associated with functional dependence. Older adults with these characteristics could serve as targets for early screening and intervention to reduce functional dependence and improve quality of life.