Self-management program beneficial for patients with AMD, depression

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Patients with age-related macular degeneration, especially those who suffer from depression, can benefit significantly from a program that helps boost their self-confidence, according to a study.

The program is based on self-management programs for people suffering from other chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. These programs have been successful in improving quality of life for people with incurable diseases.

Researchers at the University of California-San Diego’s Shiley Eye Center randomized 231 patients with age-related macular degeneration to either a 12-hour self-management program (86 patients), a series of 12 hours of tape-recorded lectures (74 patients) or to a waiting list (72 patients). Mean age at baseline was 81 years.

The self-management group showed significant improvement in measures of mood and function compared with controls. The changes were significantly greater for the depressed than for the non-depressed subjects. Decreased emotional distress was associated with increased self-efficacy, while improvements in function were associated with increases in self-efficacy and perceived social support.

The study is published in the November issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.