PURPOSE: To assess whether treatment comparison of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) scores in a clinical trial is influenced by general health to warrant adjusting for it. DESIGN: Two randomized pilot trials. METHODS: Patients enrolled in two randomized pilot trials of submacular surgery versus observation for choroidal neovascularization had quality of life interviews (NEI-VFQ and the Short Form-36 Health Survey) 24 months after enrollment. Information on comorbidities was collected through chart reviews. Data from 120 patients were analyzed using linear regression methods. RESULTS: Adjustment for comorbidities did not change the magnitude of the treatment effect on NEI-VFQ scores. However, adjustment for Short Form-36 physical and mental component summaries produced changes in the estimated treatment effect when NEI-VFQ scores were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Adjustment of NEI-VFQ scores for general health may be advisable. The Short Form-36 summary scores may be appropriate for this purpose.
PURPOSE: To assess whether treatment comparison of National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) scores in a clinical trial is influenced by general health to warrant adjusting for it. DESIGN: Two randomized pilot trials. METHODS:Patients enrolled in two randomized pilot trials of submacular surgery versus observation for choroidal neovascularization had quality of life interviews (NEI-VFQ and the Short Form-36 Health Survey) 24 months after enrollment. Information on comorbidities was collected through chart reviews. Data from 120 patients were analyzed using linear regression methods. RESULTS: Adjustment for comorbidities did not change the magnitude of the treatment effect on NEI-VFQ scores. However, adjustment for Short Form-36 physical and mental component summaries produced changes in the estimated treatment effect when NEI-VFQ scores were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Adjustment of NEI-VFQ scores for general health may be advisable. The Short Form-36 summary scores may be appropriate for this purpose.
Authors: Päivi H Miskala; Eric B Bass; Neil M Bressler; Ashley L Childs; Barbara S Hawkins; Carol M Mangione; Marta J Marsh Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 12.079