Prevalence, associated risk factors; and patient and economic impact of multiple sensory impairment in a multi-ethnic elderly population in Singapore: the PIONEER study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence, risk factors; and impact on patient health and economic outcomes across the laterality spectrum of multiple sensory impairment (MSI) in a multi-ethnic older Asian population. METHODS: In this population-based study of Singaporeans aged ≥ 60 years, MSI was defined as concomitant vision (visual acuity > 0.3 logMAR), hearing (pure-tone air conduction average > 25 dB), and olfactory (score < 12 on the Sniffin' Sticks test) impairments across the spectrum of laterality (any, unilateral, combination [of unilateral and bilateral], and bilateral). RESULTS: Among 2,057 participants (mean ± SD 72.2 ± 0.2 years; 53.1% female), the national census-adjusted prevalence rates of any, unilateral, combination, and bilateral MSI were 20.6%, 1.2%, 12.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Older age, male gender, low socioeconomic status (SES), and smoking (all p < 0.05) were independently associated with higher likelihood of any MSI. Compared to those with no sensory loss, those with MSI had significantly decreased mobility (range 5.4%-9.2%), had poor functioning (OR range 3.25-3.45) and increased healthcare costs (range 4-6 folds) across the laterality spectrum. Additionally, bilateral MSI had a significant decrease in HRQoL (5.5%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: MSI is a highly prevalent medical condition, with 1 in 5; and almost 1 in 10 community-dwelling older Asians having any and bilateral MSI, respectively, with a higher likelihood in men, smokers, and those with low SES. Critically, MSI has a substantial negative impact on patient health and economic outcomes across the laterality spectrum. Sensory testing is critical to detect and refer individuals with MSI for management to improve their functional independence and QoL.

Global Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Projection of Burden through 2045: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

TOPIC: To provide updated estimates on the global prevalence and number of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) through 2045. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated the global population with diabetes mellitus (DM) to be 463 million in 2019 and 700 million in 2045. Diabetic retinopathy remains a common complication of DM and a leading cause of preventable blindness in the adult working population. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus for population-based studies published up to March 2020. Random effect meta-analysis with logit transformation was performed to estimate global and regional prevalence of DR, vision-threatening DR (VTDR), and clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Projections of DR, VTDR, and CSME burden were based on population data from the IDF Atlas 2019. RESULTS: We included 59 population-based studies. Among individuals with diabetes, global prevalence was 22.27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.73%-25.03%) for DR, 6.17% (95% CI, 5.43%-6.98%) for VTDR, and 4.07% (95% CI, 3.42%-4.82%) for CSME. In 2020, the number of adults worldwide with DR, VTDR, and CSME was estimated to be 103.12 million, 28.54 million, and 18.83 million, respectively; by 2045, the numbers are projected to increase to 160.50 million, 44.82 million, and 28.61 million, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy prevalence was highest in Africa (35.90%) and North American and the Caribbean (33.30%) and was lowest in South and Central America (13.37%). In meta-regression models adjusting for habitation type, response rate, study year, and DR diagnostic method, Hispanics (odds ratio [OR], 2.92; 95% CI, 1.22-6.98) and Middle Easterners (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.51-3.94) with diabetes were more likely to have DR compared with Asians. DISCUSSION: The global DR burden is expected to remain high through 2045, disproportionately affecting countries in the Middle East and North Africa and the Western Pacific. These updated estimates may guide DR screening, treatment, and public health care strategies.

Role of socio-economic factors in visual impairment and progression of diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the longitudinal associations between person-level and area-level socioeconomic status (PLSES and ALSES, respectively) with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and visual impairment (VI) in Asians with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, we included 468 (39.4%) Malays and 721 (60.6%) Indians with DM, with a mean age (SD) of 58.9 (9.1) years; 50.6% were female and the mean follow-up duration was 6.2 (0.9) years. Individual PLSES parameters (education, monthly income and housing type) were quantified using questionnaires. ALSES was assessed using the Socioeconomic Disadvantage Index derived from Singapore's 2010 areal census (higher scores indicate greater disadvantage). Incident DR and VI were defined as absent at baseline but present at follow-up, while DR and VI progression were defined as a ≥1 step increase in severity category at follow-up. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the associations of PLSES and ALSES with incidence and progression of DR and VI, adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS: In multivariable models, per SD increase in ALSES score was associated with greater DR incidence (risk ratio (95% CI) 1.27 (1.13 to 1.44)), DR progression (1.10 (1.00 to 1.20)) and VI incidence (1.10 (1.04 to 1.16)), while lower PLSES variables were associated with increased DR (low income: 1.68 (1.21 to 2.34)) and VI (low income: 1.44 (1.13 to 1.83); ≤4 room housing: 2.00 (1.57 to 2.54)) incidence. CONCLUSIONS: We found that both PLSES and ALSES variables were independently associated with DR incidence, progression and associated vision loss in Asians. Novel intervention strategies targeted at low socioeconomic status communities to decrease rates of DR and VI are warranted.

A deep-learning system for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk via the measurement of retinal-vessel calibre.

Retinal blood vessels provide information on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we report the development and validation of deep-learning models for the automated measurement of retinal-vessel calibre in retinal photographs, using diverse multiethnic multicountry datasets that comprise more than 70,000 images. Retinal-vessel calibre measured by the models and by expert human graders showed high agreement, with overall intraclass correlation coefficients of between 0.82 and 0.95. The models performed comparably to or better than expert graders in associations between measurements of retinal-vessel calibre and CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, body-mass index, total cholesterol and glycated-haemoglobin levels. In retrospectively measured prospective datasets from a population-based study, baseline measurements performed by the deep-learning system were associated with incident CVD. Our findings motivate the development of clinically applicable explainable end-to-end deep-learning systems for the prediction of CVD on the basis of the features of retinal vessels in retinal photographs.

Rates and Determinants of Eyecare Utilization and Eyeglass Affordability Among Individuals With Visual Impairment in a Multi-Ethnic Population-Based Study in Singapore.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of, and factors associated with, eyecare utilization and spectacle affordability among Singaporeans with vision impairment (VI). Methods: We included adults with VI from their second visit of the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Disease Study. Data on eyecare utilization and spectacle affordability were collected. Low eyecare utilization was defined as no eye check ever or eye checks not even once per year in reference to at least once per year. Difficulty affording glasses was defined as glasses being rated as expensive in reference to not expensive. Results: There were 985 adults (14.5%; 415 Malays, 260 Indian, and 310 Chinese; mean age [SD]: 69.5 [10.2] years; 55.4% women) with VI who answered the above questions, were included. Of these, 624 (63.4%) wore glasses. The rates of low eyecare utilization and difficulty affording eyeglasses were 31% and 63%, respectively. Compared to Chinese (23.8%) and Indians (18.8%), Malays (57.4%) had the highest rates of low eyecare utilization (P < 0.001), and most difficulty affording eyeglasses (47.2% vs. 26.1% and 26.6% in Chinese and Indians, respectively; P < 0.001). Younger age, low socioeconomic status, absence of diabetes, absence of self-reported eye conditions, and poor vision were independently associated with low eyecare utilization, whereas older age and female sex was associated with difficulty affording glasses. Conclusions: In this multi-ethnic population with VI, almost one-third had low eyecare utilization and nearly two-thirds reported difficulty affording eyeglasses. Translational Relevance: This will inform strategies, such as tailored eyecare utilization awareness campaigns and awareness of available subsidy schemes for at-risk Singaporeans, such as Malays.

Association Between Perceived Barriers to Diabetes Self-management and Diabetic Retinopathy in Asian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Importance: A patient's perceived barriers to diabetes self-management (DSM) may affect his or her risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR); however, few studies have examined this association. Objective: To examine the association between perceived barriers to DSM and the severity spectrum of DR in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional clinic-based study, the Singapore Diabetes Management Project, was conducted from December 28, 2010, to March 20, 2013, at the Singapore National Eye Centre, a tertiary eye care institute. After excluding patients with type 1 diabetes and ungradable fundus images, 361 participants were included in the analyses. Statistical analysis was conducted from July 20 to September 8, 2017. Exposure: The degree of perceived barriers to DSM was assessed using a 23-item questionnaire comprising items about knowledge of DSM, access to care, and confidence in health care professionals. Rasch analysis was used to optimize the scale's psychometric properties, with lower scores indicating a higher degree of self-perceived barriers. Main Outcomes and Measures: Diabetic retinopathy was graded from 2-field retinal images into categories of no DR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study levels 10-15; n = 154), mild to moderate DR (levels 20-43; n = 112), and severe DR (levels ≥53 and/or presence of clinically significant macular edema; n = 95) using the modified Airlie House classification system of DR. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the association between perceived barriers and severity of DR in the worse-affected eye. Results: Among the 361 participants (105 women and 256 men; mean [SD] age, 57 [8] years), a greater magnitude of perceived barriers to DSM was independently associated with higher odds of having any DR (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.66), mild to moderate DR (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.68), and severe DR (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03-1.79). This association was independent of diabetes control (hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and lipid levels), presenting visual acuity, and socioeconomic indicators. Conclusions and Relevance: These results suggest that greater perceived barriers to DSM are independently associated with severity of DR. Although longitudinal data are needed, these findings suggest that evidence-based interventions to reduce patient-, practitioner-, and system-related barriers to diabetes care may help reduce the risk of DR.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Chinese Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire in a population-based study: findings from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the Chinese impact of vision impairment (IVI) questionnaire is valid to generate reliable person estimates in a population-based sample. METHODS: VRQoL was measured using the 32-item Chinese version of the IVI questionnaire in the Singapore Chinese Eye Study (2009-2011), a population-based study of the prevalence and risk factors for VI and eye diseases in Chinese Singaporeans. Rasch analysis was used to assess the Chinese IVI's response category functioning, precision, unidimensionality, targeting and differential item functioning. The ability of the Chinese IVI to discriminate participants along the spectrum of VI demonstrated criterion validity. RESULTS: Of the 3353 participants, 27.2 % (n = 912) had VI (presenting visual acuity <6/12, better eye). Response categories were collapsed from six to four to resolve disordered thresholds. The Chinese IVI initially demonstrated multidimensionality and was split into three scales: 'Reading and Accessing Information'; 'Mobility and Independence'; and 'Emotional Well-being'. All three scales were unidimensional and demonstrated excellent range-based precision (all reliability coefficients 0.97), following removal of three misfitting items. Mean person measures decreased with worsening VI (e.g. Reading: none (7.50 logits); mild (6.99 logits); moderate (6.44 logits); and severe (3.01 logits) VI; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A three-dimensional 29-item Chinese IVI is a valid tool to assess the impact of VI on VRQoL in a large population-based sample, comprising over a quarter of participants with VI. The 28-item English IVI is also likely to be valid for use in population-based studies; however, this must be demonstrated empirically in future studies.

Composite Measures of Individual and Area-Level Socio-Economic Status Are Associated with Visual Impairment in Singapore.

PURPOSE: To investigate the independent relationship of individual- and area-level socio-economic status (SES) with the presence and severity of visual impairment (VI) in an Asian population. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 9993 Chinese, Malay and Indian adults aged 40-80 years who participated in the Singapore Epidemiology of eye Diseases (2004-2011) in Singapore. Based on the presenting visual acuity (PVA) in the better-seeing eye, VI was categorized into normal vision (logMAR≤0.30), low vision (logMAR>0.30<1.00), and blindness (logMAR≥1.00). Any VI was defined as low vision/blindness in the PVA of better-seeing eye. Individual-level low-SES was defined as a composite of primary-level education, monthly income<2000 SGD and residing in 1 or 2-room public apartment. An area-level SES was assessed using a socio-economic disadvantage index (SEDI), created using 12 variables from the 2010 Singapore census. A high SEDI score indicates a relatively poor SES. Associations between SES measures and presence and severity of VI were examined using multi-level, mixed-effects logistic and multinomial regression models. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of any VI was 19.62% (low vision = 19%, blindness = 0.62%). Both individual- and area-level SES were positively associated with any VI and low vision after adjusting for confounders. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of any VI was 2.11(1.88-2.37) for low-SES and 1.07(1.02-1.13) per 1 standard deviation increase in SEDI. When stratified by unilateral/bilateral categories, while low SES showed significant associations with all categories, SEDI showed a significant association with bilateral low vision only. The association between low SES and any VI remained significant among all age, gender and ethnic sub-groups. Although a consistent positive association was observed between area-level SEDI and any VI, the associations were significant among participants aged 40-65 years and male. CONCLUSION: In this community-based sample of Asian adults, both individual- and area-level SES were independently associated with the presence and severity of VI.

Income is a stronger predictor of mortality than education in a national sample of US adults.

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with mortality in several populations. SES measures, such as education and income, may operate through different pathways. However, the independent effect of each measure mutually adjusting for the effect of other SES measures is not clear. The association between poverty-income ratio (PIR) and education and all-cause mortality among 15,646 adults, aged >20 years, who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the USA, was examined. The lower PIR quartiles and less than high school education were positively associated with all-cause mortality in initial models adjusting for the demographic, lifestyle and clinical risk factors. After additional adjustment for education, the lower PIR quartiles were still significantly associated with all-cause mortality. The multivariable odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of all-cause mortality comparing the lowest to the highest quartile of PIR was 2.11 (1.52-2.95, p trend < or = 0.0001). In contrast, after additional adjustment for income, education was no longer associated with all-cause mortality [multivariable OR (95% CI) of all-cause mortality comparing less than high school to more than high school education was 1.05 (0.85-1.31, p trend=0.57)]. The results suggest that income may be a stronger predictor of mortality than education, and narrowing the income differentials may reduce the health disparities.

Socioeconomic status, self-rated health, and mortality in a multiethnic sample of US adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES), self-rated health (SRH), and mortality separately by race-ethnicity in a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from 16 716 adult women and men who were followed up for mortality for up to 12 years as part of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES III). Poverty-income ratio (PIR) and education were assessed as measures of SES. All-cause mortality (n = 2850) was recorded from the NHANES III linked mortality file. RESULTS: Lower PIR was associated with mortality after adjustment for lifestyle, clinical risk factors, and SRH in all racial-ethnic groups (P-trend <0.005). In contrast, after adjusting for lifestyle and clinical risk factors, lower education was not associated with all-cause mortality in non-Hispanic whites (P-trend = 0.16), whereas the association remained significant after adjustment for SRH and lifestyle and clinical risk factors in other race-ethnicities (P-trend = 0.005; P-interaction between education categories and race-ethnicity was 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that lower PIR was associated with mortality in all racial-ethnic groups. In contrast, lower education was significantly associated with mortality only in racial-ethnic groups other than non-Hispanic whites. Our results indicate that, beyond lifestyle and clinical risk factors, adjusting for SRH resulted in only a modest change in the association of SES and mortality.

The association between socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity in a Malay population in Singapore.

In developed countries in the West, lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity. The authors examined the association between SES defined by education and income and overweight/obesity in a population-based cohort of 2807 individuals of Malay ethnicity (age 40-80 years, 51% women) in Singapore. The prevalence of overweight/ obesity (body mass index > or =25 kg/m(2)) in men and women was 50.4% and 65.1%, respectively. In women, the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased with lower levels of education and income. Compared with the higher categories of SES, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of overweight/obesity in women was 1.42 (1.06-1.89) for education and 2.08 (1.33-3.26) for income. In contrast, in men, the prevalence of overweight/obesity decreased with lower levels of education and income (P interaction by gender <.05 for all SES variables). Lower SES was positively associated with overweight/obesity in Malay women, and the association was in the opposite direction in Malay men.