Quality of life and its determinants among glaucoma patients attending Berhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its increasing global prevalence profoundly affects patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being. While clinical measurements are essential, they do not fully capture the disease's subjective impact on daily life. This highlights the need for patient-reported outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to linguistically and psychometrically validate the Eritrean version of the Glaucoma Quality of Life-36 (GlauQoL-36) questionnaire and to assess HRQoL and its determinants among glaucoma patients in Eritrea.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted among glaucoma patients attending the Berhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, between August and November 2024.

METHODS

A systematic random sampling technique was used to enroll participants. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Eritrean version of the GlauQoL-36. The tool was linguistically and psychometrically validated. Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) was employed at the multivariable level to assess the determinants of HRQoL using generalized linear model in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 26.0). Reliability, confirmatory factor analysis and the error plot were performed in R Studio (version 4.4.3).

RESULTS

A total of 306 respondents with a mean age of 65.1 (Standard Deviation (SD): 11.9) years were included. The confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated an acceptable model fit, with a root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.064, and strong fit indices for comparative fit index (0.973) and Tucker-Lewis index (0.970). The overall internal consistency of the 33-item tool (excluding the driving domain) was excellent, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89. The overall mean HRQoL score was 74.05 (SD: 13.71) out of 100. The constraint domain had a significantly higher (p<0.001) mean score (M: 91.0, SD: 13.50) than both the anxiety domain (M: 71.3, SD: 22.45) and the daily life domain (M: 63.5, SD: 23.56). Being an urban resident (p<0.001) and employed (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with higher HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

The Eritrean GlauQoL-36 is a valid, reliable tool for assessing patient-reported outcomes. The disease significantly impairs daily functioning and psychosocial well-being, highlighting the need for holistic, patient-centered care.