Gender differences in the association between sensory function and CIND among Chinese elderly: Based on CLHLS

Abstract

Objective: To explore the gender differences of the association between sensory impairment (SI) and the risk of cognitive decline and possible cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND).

Method: Data were drawn from three waves of the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) between 2011/12-2018 surveys, involving 6138 participants aged 65 or older who had no CIND at the baseline. Multivariate linear or logistic regression models were employed to examine the effect of SI on cognitive decline and CIND risk by gender stratification, respectively.

Results: Hearing impairment and visual impairment were associated with lower MMSE scores, and the strength of the association was stronger in men than in women. Hearing impairment was related to an elevated risk of CIND both in men and women (Men: OR=2.46; 95% CI=1.81, 3.35; Women: OR=1.43; 95% CI=1.09, 1.88). However, the effect of visual impairment on CIND was statistically significant only in men (OR=1.43; 95% CI=1.09, 1.88). The risk of cognitive decline and CIND were significantly higher with single and dual SI than those without SI, except for women with single visual impairment.

Conclusion: SI is independently associated with cognitive decline and CIND risk, and the association differed by gender. Further researches should clarify the mechanism between SI and cognitive function among older adults, especially for gender differences.

Keywords: China; Cognitive decline; Gender differences; Hearing impairment; Visual impairment.