Prevalence, adverse health, and risk factors in association with sensory impairments: data from a prospective cohort study of older Japanese

Abstract

Sensory impairments, mainly of vision and hearing, are prevalent among the older adults, and are the leading causes of disability in people aged 60 years and above around the world. However, epidemiological data on sensory impairments (prevalence, association with adverse health outcomes, risk and preventive factors, etc.) in community-dwelling older people are sparse in Japan. Using data from the Kurabuchi Study, a community-based prospective cohort study of adults aged 65 years or older, the author and colleagues estimated the prevalence of sensory impairments in this population. Vision and hearing impairments were associated with adverse health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms, dependence in activities of daily living, and early death. In addition, antioxidants, sunlight exposure, hyperglycaemia, and nutritional status were identified as possible risk or preventive factors for vision and/or hearing impairments. Further research is needed into whether the maintenance or improvement of sensory functions contributes to the extension of disability-free life expectancy.

Gray matter volumes of early sensory regions are associated with individual differences in sensory processing

“…To test this hypothesis, structural MRI data were acquired from healthy adults and then assessed using the Sensory Profile questionnaire. Previous studies have shown that older individuals exhibit a general decline in sensory abilities [Campbell et al, ; Michikawa, ; Schubert et al, ] and have lower scores on the Sensory Profile relative to younger subjects [Brown and Dunn, ]. Additionally, the gray matter volumes of early sensory regions in healthy older adults decrease with age [Lemaître et al, ; Potvin et al, ; Resnick et al, ].…”

Kentsel Ve Kirsal Bölgede Yaşayan Geri̇atri̇k Bi̇reyleri̇n Duyusal, Kogni̇ti̇f, Motor Fonksi̇yonlari Ve Sosyal İşlevselli̇kleri̇ni̇n İncelenmesi̇

“…Literatürde kırsal ve kentsel bölgedeki bireylerin fiziksel performans durumlarını karşılaştıran yeterli çalışmaya rastlanmadı. Bir çalışmada görme ve işitme bozukluklarının bireylerin sağlık durumları ile ilişkili olan bağımsız faktörlerden biri olduğu görülmektedir (28). Çalışmamızda kırsal bölgede yaşayan geriatrik bireylerin fiziksel performanslarının, kentsel bölgede yaşayan geriatrik bireylere göre daha düşük olduğu gözlemlendi.…”

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Hearing Impairment in Japan: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Large-Scale Occupational Health Check-Up Data

“…Hearing impairment is among the most important disabilities that hampers quality of life, by interfering with communication and conversation; decreasing cognitive function; and contributing to depression, loss of education, and employment opportunities, as well as social isolation, loneliness, and stigma [1][2][3]. As of 2019, approximately 1.57 billion people, equating to one in five of the global population, had hearing impairment [4].…”