Incident dementia and faster rates of cognitive decline are associated with worse multisensory function summary scores.

INTRODUCTION

We created a summary score for multiple sensory (multisensory) impairment and evaluated its association with dementia.

METHODS

We studied 1794 adults aged 70 to 79 who were dementia-free at enrollment and followed for up to 10 years in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. The multisensory function score (0 to 12 points) was based on sample quartiles of objectively measured vision, hearing, smell, and touch summed overall. Risk of incident dementia and cognitive decline (measured by two cognitive tests) associated with the score were assessed in regression models adjusting for demographics and health conditions.

RESULTS

Dementia risk was 2.05 times higher (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-2.81) comparing "poor" to "good" multisensory score tertiles and 1.45 times higher comparing the "middle" to "good" tertiles (95% CI 1.09-1.91). Each point worse in the multisensory function score was associated with faster rates of cognitive decline (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Worsening multisensory function, even at mild levels, was associated with accelerated cognitive aging.