Self-Reported Sensory Impairments and Changes in Cognitive Performance: A Longitudinal 6-Year Follow-Up Study of English Community-Dwelling Adults Aged ⩾50 Years

摘要

To investigate the influence of single and dual sensory impairments prospectively on cognition in adults aged ⩾50 years. Community-dwelling English adults ( = 4,621) were followed up from 2008 to 2014. Self-reported hearing and vision were collected in 2008. Change in cognitive performance on working memory and executive function between 2008 and 2014 was evaluated. Compared with good hearing and good vision, respectively, poor hearing and poor vision were associated with worse cognitive function (hearing: unstandardized coefficient = 0.83, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = [0.29, 1.37]; vision: = 1.61, 95% CI = [0.92, 2.29] adjusted for age, sex, baseline cognition). Compared with no sensory impairment, dual sensory impairment was associated with worse cognition ( = 2.30, 95% CI = [1.21, 3.39] adjusted for age, sex, baseline cognition). All associations remained after further adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, chronic conditions, falls, mobility, depression, and lack of companionship. The findings are important as age-related sensory impairments are often preventable or modifiable, which may prevent or delay cognitive impairment.