Dual Sensory Impairment Significantly Raises Dementia Risk Among Older Adults
Dual sensory impairment (DSI) is associated with a significantly increased dementia risk among older adults, according to new findings published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.1
“Evaluation of vision and hearing in older adults may predict who will develop dementia and Alzheimer's,” said lead study author Phillip H. Hwang, from the University of Washington, in a press release.2
“This has important implications on identifying potential participants in prevention trials for Alzheimer's disease, as well as whether treatments for vision and hearing loss can modify risk for dementia,” Dr Hwang added.2
Dr Hwang and colleagues arrived at this conclusion after evaluating data of 2051 participants from the Gingko Evaluation of Memory Study. Specifically, they assessed self-reported measures of vision and hearing. Standardized criteria were used to determine dementia status. The risk of dementia associated with the number of sensory impairments (none, 1, or 2) was estimated via Cox models.
The results of the study indicated a significant association of DSI with all-cause dementia risk and Alzheimer disease risk, with hazard ratios (HR) of 1.86 and 2.12, respectively. The researchers noted that, individually, only visual impairment demonstrated an independent associated with all‐cause dementia risk (HR = 1.32).
“Further studies are needed to evaluate whether treatments can modify this risk,” the researchers concluded.
—Christina Vogt
References:
- Hwang PH, Longstreth Jr WT, Brenowitz WD, et al. Dual sensory impairment in older adults and risk of dementia from the GEM Study. Alzheimers Dement. Published online July 7, 2020. doi:10.1002/dad2.12054
- Hearing and visual impairments linked to elevated dementia risk. News release. Wiley; July 7, 2020. Accessed July 8, 2020. https://newsroom.wiley.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2020/Hearing-and-Visual-Impairments-Linked-to-Elevated-Dementia-Risk/default.aspx