Age‐Related Sensory Impairments and Risk of Cognitive Impairment. Issue 10 (9th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fischer, Mary E.; Cruickshanks, Karen J.; Schubert, Carla R.; Pinto, Alex A.; Carlsson, Cynthia M.; Klein, Barbara E. K.; Klein, Ronald; Tweed, Ted S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 64:Issue 10(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1981
• Page End: 1987
• Publication Date: 2016-09-09
• Subjects: cognitive impairment -- hearing impairment -- visual impairment -- olfactory impairment -- population based; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14308
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To evaluate the associations between sensory impairments and 10‐year risk of cognitive impairment. Design: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (EHLS), a longitudinal, population‐based study of aging in the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin community. Baseline examinations were conducted in 1993 and follow‐up examinations have been conducted every 5 years. Setting: General community. Participants: EHLS members without cognitive impairment at EHLS‐2 (1998–2000). There were 1, 884 participants (mean age 66.7) with complete EHLS‐2 sensory data and follow‐up information. Measurements: Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini‐Mental State Examination score of <24 or history of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Hearing impairment was a pure‐tone average of hearing thresholds (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz) of >25 dB hearing level in either ear, visual impairment was a Pelli‐Robson contrast sensitivity of <1.55 log units in the better eye, and olfactory impairment was a San Diego Odor Identification Test score of <6. Results: Hearing, visual, and olfactory impairment were independently associated with cognitive impairment risk (hearing: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–3.26; vision: HR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.24–3.38; olfaction: HR = 3.92, 95% CI = 2.45–6.26)). Nevertheless, 85% of participants with hearing impairment, 81% with visual impairment, and 76% with olfactory impairment did not develop cognitive impairment during follow‐up. Conclusion: The relationship between sensory impairment and cognitive impairment was not unique to one sensory system, suggesting that sensorineural health may be a marker of brain aging. The development of a combined sensorineurocognitive measure may be useful in uncovering mechanisms of healthy brain aging.