Bidirectional associations of vision loss, hearing loss, and dual sensory loss with depressive symptoms among the middle-aged and older adults in China

Wenwen Liu; Chao Yang; Lili Liu; Guilan Kong; Luxia Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.066

Bidirectional associations of vision loss, hearing loss, and dual sensory loss with depressive symptoms among the middle-aged and older adults in China

J Affect Disord. 2022 Mar 15:301:225-232. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.066. Epub 2022 Jan 15.

Authors

Wenwen Liu¹, Chao Yang², Lili Liu², Guilan Kong³, Luxia Zhang⁴

Affiliations

¹ National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
² Renal Division, Department of Medicine at Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing, China.
³ National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China; Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: guilan.kong@hsc.pku.edu.cn.
⁴ National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China; Renal Division, Department of Medicine at Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing, China; Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou, China.

PMID: 35038482
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.066

Abstract

Background: Most studies on the relationship between sensory loss and depression focus on the unidirectional association between sensory loss and the risk of depression based on cross-sectional designs. The present study aimed to explore the bidirectional longitudinal associations of vison loss (VL), ¹ hearing loss (HL), ² and dual sensory loss (DSL)³ with depressive symptoms among Chinese population.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among 13,690 participants aged 45 years and older over four years. VL, HL, and DSL were identified through self-reporting, and depressive symptoms were assessed using a 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to estimate the bidirectional associations of VL, HL, and DSL with depressive symptoms.

Results: Participants with self-reported VL (HR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.04-1.24), HL (HR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.37), and DSL (HR: 1.27, 95%CI: 1.08-1.49) were associated with higher risk of developing depressive symptoms, compared with those without VL, HL, and DSL, respectively. In comparison with those without depressive symptoms, participants with depressive symptoms in the baseline had higher risk of developing VL (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.33-1.54), HL (HR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.36-1.63), and DSL (HR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.59-1.95).

Limitations: Sensory loss was defined only based on participants' self-report.

Conclusions: Significant bidirectional associations exist between self-reported VL, HL, or DSL and depressive symptoms. The mental health of people with VL and HL should be focused on, and regular assessments of vision and hearing in people with depressive symptoms are recommended.

Keywords: Bidirectional associations; Depressive symptoms; Dual sensory loss; Hearing loss; Middle-aged and older adults; Vision loss.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
China / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression* / epidemiology
Hearing Loss* / complications
Hearing Loss* / diagnosis
Hearing Loss* / epidemiology
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Middle Aged