Social function and associated factors among the elderly with visual impairment in northeast China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of social function in the elderly with visual impairment and analyzed the influencing factors of social function. Methods: The general information, social function, anxiety and depression of 211 elderly persons with visual impairment were investigated by general information questionnaire, WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHO-DAS Ⅱ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). The data were described by frequency, percentage, mean ± standard deviation, median and quartile. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were used to describe the influencing factors of social function in the elderly with visual impairment.Results: The average score of social function of the elderly with visual impairment was 50.10 ±15.470, the score range was 10 to 87. 211 cases of elderly with visual impairment had social function impairment, 198 cases (93.84%) had moderate or above impairment. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, residence status, diabetic retinopathy, vision status, anxiety and depression degree of social function impairment (P<0.05). Multiple regression results showed that age, visual status, residence status, anxiety and depression were the influencing factors of social function in the elderly with visual impairment (P<0.05).Conclusions: The social function damage of the elderly with visual impairment is more serious, especially with advanced age, poor vision and poor psychological quality.