Development and Validation of the Life for Low Vision Questionnaire (LIFE4LVQ) Using Rasch Analysis: A Questionnaire Evaluating Ability and Independence.

Low vision (LV) has a substantial impact on an individual's daily functionality and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly incorporated into the evaluation of this problem. The objective of this study was to describe the design of the new "Life for Low Vision Questionnaire (LIFE4LVQ)", as a measure of daily functionality in LV and to explore its psychometric properties. A total of 294 participants completed the LIFE4LVQ and the data were subjected to Rasch analysis to determine the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, including response category ordering, item fit statistics, principal component analysis, precision, differential item functioning, and targeting. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with an interval of three weeks and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used. The correlation between the questionnaire score and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Rasch analysis revealed that for most items the infit and outfit mean square fit values were close to 1, both for the whole scale and its subscales (ability and independence). The separation index for person measures was 5.18 with a reliability of 0.96, indicating good discriminant ability and adequate model fit. Five response categories were found for all items. The ICC was 0.96 (p < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98), suggesting excellent repeatability of the measure. Poorer BCVA was significantly associated with worse scores (rho = 0.559, p < 0.001), indicating excellent convergent validity. The functional, 40-item LIFE4LVQ proved to be a reliable and valid tool that effectively measures the impact of LV on ability and independence.

Helicobacter pylori infection, dementia and primary open-angle glaucoma: are they connected?

BACKGROUND: The study aims to elucidate the putative association between various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, primary open-angle glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection in all possible combinations. METHODS: We prospectively recruited for the study 156 patients, divided into a dementia group, a glaucoma group and two control groups. All patients were submitted to neuropsychological evaluation aiming to detect dementia, ophthalmological examination, aiming to detect glaucoma, and H.pylori diagnostic testing. The provided data were analyzed with the question of possible correlation between the aforementioned entities. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between Hp infection and dementia, Hp infection and glaucoma, as well as between dementia and glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the hypothesis that neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and glaucoma are linked to each other and to H.pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection and primary open-angle glaucoma: is there a connection?

Glaucoma, the most common form of which is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is a neurodegenerative disease which is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. Among the factors that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this disease is infection with Helicobacter pylori. This alleged association has caused a great deal of scientific discussion during the past decade, as the establishment of such a correlation might lead to therapeutic applications for all glaucoma patients. In this review, we assess all relevant major studies and trials in an effort to elucidate the issue.

Alzheimer's disease and primary open-angle glaucoma: is there a connection?

AIM: To present, through a thorough literature research, current and older scientific efforts to investigate the putative association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and glaucoma, especially primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: We included in our review article epidemiological, experimental and clinical laboratory studies. RESULTS: While many authors support the existence of a strong correlation between the AD and POAG, based on epidemiological, genetic and immunohistochemical data, others present contradictory results, leaving the issue unresolved. CONCLUSION: Further research, probably targeted towards genetic parameters and based on large, multicenter studies has yet to be conducted. It is the authors' opinion however, that the existing data already justify the need for at least some degree of elevated clinical alertness for the occurrence of AD in patients with glaucoma and of glaucoma in patients with AD.