Gender-Specific Impact of Cataracts on Geriatric Syndrome Burden in Solitary-Living Older Adults

Authors : Bilal Katipoğlu, Zeynep Katipoğlu, Meydan Turan, Suleyman Emre Kocyıgıt

Pages : 54-60

Doi:10.20515/otd.1783870

View : 38 | Download : 94

Publication Date : 2025-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Older adults living alone are at increased risk for geriatric syndromes, and visual impairment from cataract may further exacerbate this vulnerability. However, data on the relationship between cataracts and geriatric syndrome burden in this population remain limited. We planned to investigate the relationship between cataracts and geriatric syndromes burden among older adults who live alone. This retrospective, cross-sectional study included community-dwelling older adults who lived alone and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment at the Geriatrics Outpatient Clinic of Balıkesir Atatürk City Hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. Cataract status was confirmed by ophthalmology records. Geriatric syndromes assessed included cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, malnutrition, frailty, and history of falls. The geriatric syndrome burden was defined as the presence of at least two impairments in the main domains of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, education, polypharmacy, BMI, and comorbidity count. A total of 299 participants (mean age 77.0 ± 7.3 years, 63% female) were included; 139 (46.5%) had cataracts. Compared with those without cataracts, affected individuals were older (78.68 ± 6.90 vs. 75.57 ± 7.46 years, p = 0.02), had lower education (5.17 ± 3.43 vs. 5.98 ± 3.65 years, p = 0.02), and higher polypharmacy rates (67% vs. 53%, p = 0.01). Cognitive impairment prevalence was greater in the cataract group (67% vs. 56%, p = 0.03). In women, cataracts were associated with higher geriatric syndrome burden (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.04–5.12, p = 0.04); no significant association was observed in men (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.54–1.55, p = 0.74). Cataracts are linked to greater cognitive impairment and, in women, a higher geriatric syndrome burden among older adults living alone. Incorporating vision assessment into geriatric evaluations may help identify vulnerable individuals and inform targeted interventions.
Keywords : Katarakt, geriatrik sendromlar, malnütrisyon, bilişsel bozukluk, polifarmasi, yalnız yaşamak, yaşlı yetişkinler

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