Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
3-1-2025
Journal
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Abstract
Background: Studies have examined the association between dual sensory impairment and late-life cognitive outcomes in the U.S with inconsistent findings.
Objective: To examine the associations between sensory impairment and 10-year risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease among U.S. adults aged ≥ 50.
Methods: A prospective cohort study based on the Health and Retirement Study from 2010 to 2020. Individuals aged ≥ 50 years without self-reported dementia and Alzheimer's disease in 2010 were included in the analysis. Self-reported visual and hearing impairments were measures in 2010. Main failure events included self-reported incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease over a 10-year follow-up period. Participants were categorized as having no visual or hearing impairment, visual impairment only, hearing impairment only, and dual sensory impairment. Fine-Gray competing risk regression model was applied to estimate the associations of sensory impairment with incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease, adjusted for demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and health conditions at baseline.
Results: Of 20,248 identified individuals, 14.6% had visual impairment only, 11.2% had hearing impairment only, and 9.1% had dual impairment at baseline. After adjusting for all covariates, dual sensory impairment was associated with higher risk of dementia (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.23-1.73) and Alzheimer's disease (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.76). Visual impairment only was also associated with incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease among individuals < 65 years.
Conclusion: Older adults in the U.S. with visual and hearing impairments simultaneously had a particularly greater risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, indicating the needs of targeted screening for timely treatment and further prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords
Humans, Alzheimer Disease, Male, Female, Aged, Dementia, Vision Disorders, Middle Aged, Hearing Loss, United States, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Aged, 80 and over, Incidence, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, dementia, sensory impairment
DOI
10.1177/08919887241275042
PMID
39185851
PMCID
PMC11841694
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes