Depression in Visual Impairment Trial (DEPVIT): A Randomized Clinical Trial of Depression Treatments in People With Low Vision

Supported by Guide Dogs (Grant OR-2009 07b)

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in people with age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review of observational study data

Background Comorbid mental health problems have been shown to have an adverse effect on the quality of life of people with common eye disorders. This study aims to assess whether symptoms of anxiety and/or depression are more prevalent in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than in people without this condition. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO) from inception to February 2012 was conducted to identify studies of AMD populations which measured symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Reference checking of relevant articles was also performed. Data on the study setting, prevalence and how anxiety and depression were measured were extracted from the papers. Critical appraisal was performed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools. Results A total of 16 papers were included in the review, from an original search result of 597. The prevalence estimates, taken from nine cross-sectional and cohort studies, ranged from 15.7%-44% for depressive symptoms and 9.6%-30.1% for anxiety symptoms in people with AMD. The seven case–control studies found that people with AMD were more likely to experience symptoms of depression compared with those without AMD, but not more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions Overall, the evidence suggests that symptoms of depression are more prevalent amongst AMD populations than anxiety symptoms. The heterogeneity of the studies included in this review means that it is difficult to draw strong conclusions as to the true estimates of depression and anxiety symptoms in AMD populations and prevented formal meta-analysis. Further research which specifies clinical anxiety and gives clear definitions as to the type of AMD being investigated is required

Anxiety and depression in patients with advanced macular degeneration: current perspectives

Verena R Cimarolli,1 Robin J Casten,2 Barry W Rovner,3–5 Vera Heyl,6 Silvia Sörensen,7,8 Amy Horowitz9 1Research Institute on Aging, Jewish Home Lifecare, New York, NY, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 3Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 4Department of Psychiatry, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 6Institute of Special Education, University of Education, Heidelberg, Germany; 7Warner School of Education and Human Development, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; 8Department of Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; 9Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – despite advances in prevention and medical treatment options – remains prevalent among older adults, often resulting in functional losses that negatively affect the mental health of older adults. In particular, the prevalence of both anxiety and depression in patients with AMD is high. Along with medical treatment options, low vision rehabilitation and AMD-specific behavioral and self-management programs have been developed and have demonstrated effectiveness in improving the mental health of AMD patients. This article reviews the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with advanced AMD, discusses potential mechanisms accounting for the development of depression and anxiety in AMD patients, presents the state-of the-art of available interventions for addressing anxiety and depression in AMD patients, and delineates recommendations for eye care professionals regarding how to screen for these two prevalent mental health problems and how to facilitate appropriate treatment for patients with AMD. Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, vision impairment, depression, anxiety, vision rehabilitation, behavioral and self-management intervention

g Factor of the 21+ state of Hf170

The g factor of the 21+ state of Hf170 was measured by perturbed γ-γ angular correlation in a static external magnetic field. The result, g(21+)=0.28(5), extends the systematics of g factors of even-even Hf isotopes to N=98 and enables a better test of theoretical models. The g(21+) experimental values of these isotopes exhibit a remarkable constancy as a function of neutron number. This phenomenon, which was also observed for other isotopic chains in the Gd-W range, is explained in terms of a recently proposed empirical model. © 2007 The American Physical Society

Enhanced mixing of intrinsic states in deformed Hf nuclei

Excited low-spin, nonyrast states in Hf170,172,174 were populated in β+/ε decay and studied through off-beam γ-ray spectroscopy. New coincidence data allowed for a substantial revision of the level schemes of Hf170,172 and a confirmation of the level scheme of Hf174. The Hf isotopes represent a unique situation in which a crossing of collective intrinsic excitations occurs, enhancing significantly the effects of mixing. Using branching ratios from excited 2+ states, this mixing is followed and studied. The resulting mixing matrix elements are found to be ~30 keV-an order of magnitude larger than estimated previously for nearby nuclei. In the case of Hf170, the 2β+ and 2γ+ level are shown to be completely mixed. © 2008 The American Physical Society