Hidden dangers: Does multisensory impairments accompanying visual impairment increase dementia risk

Xiaojuan Shi; Yueping Wu; Huihui Wang; Xiaoxue He; Xue Zhang; Lining Pu; Degong Pan; Jiangping Li

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.041

Hidden dangers: Does multisensory impairments accompanying visual impairment increase dementia risk

J Psychiatr Res. 2024 Apr 23:174:275-282. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.041. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiaojuan Shi¹, Yueping Wu¹, Huihui Wang¹, Xiaoxue He¹, Xue Zhang¹, Lining Pu¹, Degong Pan¹, Jiangping Li²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
² Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 750004, China. Electronic address: lijp@nxmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38678684
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.041

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests that sensory impairment, particularly in the form of visual impairment, may contribute to the development of dementia. However, it remains unclear whether experiencing concurrent visual impairment in combination with other types of multisensory impairments may further increase this risk.

Methods: The study used data from the UK Biobank cohort study, which recruited 500,000 adults. With meticulous screening procedures in place, individuals with visual impairment, hearing impairment, and oral health issues were identified for further follow-up evaluations. A multivariable regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between multisensory impairments concurrent with visual impairment and cognitive function. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals to evaluate the association between multisensory impairments concurrent with visual impairment and dementia risk.

Results: Subjects experiencing multisensory impairments concurrent with visual impairment demonstrated a negative association with cognitive function. Notably, individuals who have both vision and hearing impairments had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia (HR 1.28, 95% CI [1.01-1.63]). Additionally, individuals who experience vision impairment and oral health issues simultaneously were also at higher risk for dementia (HR 1.61, 95% CI [1.32-1.97]). Furthermore, the risk of dementia among individuals with vision impairment, hearing impairment, and oral health issues further escalated to an even higher level (HR 1.63, 95% CI [1.19-2.24]).

Conclusions: The correlation between the presence of multisensory impairments concurrent with visual impairment and cognitive decline is highly significant. Those with multisensory impairments concurrent with visual impairment are at a significantly increased risk of developing dementia.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Dementia; Multisensory impairment; Visual impairment.