Visual Impairment, Hearing Loss and Cognitive Function in an Older Population: Longitudinal Findings from the Blue Mountains Eye Study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147646
• Publication Date: 2016-01-25T19:20:04Z
• Authors: Thomas Hong; Paul Mitchell; George Burlutsky; Gerald Liew; Jie Jin Wang
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline; Decibel; Visual Impairment

The presence of visual impairment (VI) and hearing loss (HL) with may be a marker for subsequent cognitive decline over time in older people. A prospective, longitudinal population-based study the 3654 participants Blue Mountains Eye Study were assessed associations between VI HL mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores duration 10 years from 5-year (baseline this report) to 15-year follow-up visits. MMSE was at 5-, 10- ≥3 or visits indicated possible decline. defined as best-corrected acuity <6/12 worse-eye, pure-tone average >40 decibels worse-ear dual sensory (DSI) by co-presence HL, detected report). Participants no same 5- 10-year corresponding period controls. Associations VI, DSI using logistic regression models adjusting age sex after excluding subjects stroke history. not associated 5 (odds ratio (OR) 0.84, 95% confidence-intervals (CI) 0.40-1.79, OR 1.02, CI 0.61-1.70 1.41, 0.54-3.72, respectively) (OR 1.09, 0.52-2.30, 0.65-1.82 1.15, 0.28-4.73, respectively). There changes these findings adjustment other potential confounders. Age significantly 1.07, 1.04-1.10 both periods). Neither impairment, nor independently cognition.