Association of sensory impairment with cognitive function and mental health among the older adults in China

Sensory impairments may contribute toward a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and mental symptoms. Whether dual sensory impairments (DSI) pose an additive impact on cognitive function and mental health is not known. In the current study, we used data from 11,722 subjects aged over 65 years who participated in the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), a home-based nationally representative longitudinal survey in China, to explore the association of single (hearing, or vision) and DSI on cognitive function and mental health in the older adults in China. Sensory impairment was measured based on self-reported hearing and vision functions. Cognition, depression, and anxiety were measured by the Chinese version of Mini-mental State Examination, 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, respectively. The prevalence of HI, VI, and DSI was 19.2%, 14.6%, and 15.3%, respectively. HI (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75–2.40) and VI (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.70–2.39) associated with cognitive impairment. VI associated with a higher prevalence of depression (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.57–1.98, vs. OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.38) and anxiety symptoms (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.40–1.96, vs. OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.28–1.78) than HI. DSI showed the highest prevalence of cognitive impairment (OR 4.19, 95% CI 3.58–4.91), depression (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.71–2.20), and anxiety (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.91–2.74). Differences in gender and age affected the association between sensory impairment, cognitive function, and mental health. Overall, these results indicate that management of such impairments and intervention should be offered to males at an early stage of aging.