Assessing the impact of visual acuity on quality of life in individuals with type 2 diabetes using the short form-36

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to ascertain quality-of-life measures and utility values associated with visual acuity in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Medical Outcome Study Short Form with 36 items (SF-36) was administered to 4,051 individuals with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in the Lipids in Diabetes Study, and their best attainable vision was determined using an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart, expressed as a LogMAR score. Eight domain scores and a utility value representing an overall quality-of-life score were calculated using predefined algorithms. The associations between quality of life measured and best-eye visual acuity were assessed graphically a..