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Multiple Sensory Impairments in Relation to Cognitive Function: Two Nationwide Cross-sectional Studies
Binghan Wang1, Hui Chen1, Jie Shen1
1School of Public Health, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Current Alzheimer Research
|August 17, 2023
Summary
Multiple sensory impairments (SI) are linked to declining cognitive function and increased subjective cognitive complaints in older adults. Addressing sensory loss may support cognitive health in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Sensory impairments (SI) like vision, hearing, smell, and taste loss are individually linked to cognitive aging.
- The combined impact of multiple sensory impairments on cognitive function remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the number of sensory impairments and cognitive function.
- To examine the relationship between sensory impairments and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,931 participants from NHANES (2011-2014) and 10,785 from NHIS (2021).
- Sensory function status was self-reported; cognitive function was objectively measured in NHANES and SCC assessed in NHIS.
- Regression models were used to assess associations between SI and cognitive outcomes.
Main Results:
- A greater number of sensory impairments correlated with poorer performance in memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed.
- Each additional sensory impairment was associated with a 96% increase in the odds of subjective cognitive complaints.
- Individual sensory impairments, excluding olfactory, showed independent associations with specific cognitive domains and higher odds of SCC.
Conclusions:
- An increased number of sensory impairments is associated with worse cognitive function.
- Sensory impairments are linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing subjective cognitive complaints.
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