Tanaka Saki, Katayose Ryo, Shimamura Sora, Fukui Kayoko, Ono Michio, Shirakashi Yoshitomo, Kawasaki Teruaki, Akiguchi Ichiro, Ogita Mihoko
Department of Clinical Nursing, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan.
Kyoto Clinical and Translational Research Centre for Neurocognitive Disorders, Kyoto, Japan.
Psychogeriatrics. 2025 Jan;25(1):e13216. doi: 10.1111/psyg.13216. Epub 2024 Nov 21.
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) negatively impact the quality of life of patients with dementia and their surrounding caregivers. Therefore, identifying modifiable factors to prevent BPSD is crucial. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between hearing impairment (HI), social relationships, and BPSD.
A survey involving 179 patients who attended a memory clinic was conducted between July 2023 and March 2024. Pure-tone audiometry and questionnaire interviews were conducted, while medical records were reviewed. HI was defined as an average hearing level ≥ 40 dB, measured by pure-tone audiometry using the better-hearing ear. BPSD presence and severity were assessed using the BPSD25Q-based questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used for calculating partial regression coefficients to assess the association between HI, social relationship indicators, and BPSD presence and severity, adjusting for confounders.
Among the 144 participants included in the analysis, the mean age was 82.7 years, and 96 (66.7%) were female individuals. Using multiple regression analysis, individuals with HI, whether living with others (β = 1.49, P = 0.038) or living alone (β = 2.23, P = 0.044) had a higher presence of BPSD, compared with those without HI who live with others. Additionally, those with HI who regularly engaged in conversations (β = 1.51, P = 0.027) or did not participate in social interactions (β = 2.02, P = 0.020) also had a higher presence of BPSD, compared with individuals without HI in similar circumstances. Similarly, those with HI and living alone (β = 4.54, P = 0.033) and lacking social interaction (β = 3.89, P = 0.020) experienced increased BPSD severity.
Our findings indicated that living alone and lacking social interaction with having HI were linked to both the presence and severity of BPSD. Additionally, increased verbal communication through conversations with cohabiting family members and others in patients with HI was associated with a higher presence of BPSD. Reducing communication stress and maintaining social connections are essential for managing these challenges.
痴呆症的行为和心理症状（BPSD）对痴呆症患者及其周围照顾者的生活质量产生负面影响。因此，识别可改变的因素以预防BPSD至关重要。这项横断面研究调查了听力障碍（HI）、社会关系与BPSD之间的关联。
在2023年7月至2024年3月期间，对179名到记忆门诊就诊的患者进行了一项调查。进行了纯音听力测定和问卷调查访谈，并查阅了病历。HI被定义为使用较好听力耳通过纯音听力测定测得的平均听力水平≥40 dB。使用基于BPSD25Q的问卷评估BPSD的存在情况和严重程度。多元回归分析用于计算偏回归系数，以评估HI、社会关系指标与BPSD存在情况和严重程度之间的关联，并对混杂因素进行调整。
在纳入分析的144名参与者中，平均年龄为82.7岁，96名（66.7%）为女性。通过多元回归分析，与与他人同住的无HI者相比，HI患者，无论与他人同住（β = 1.49，P = 0.038）还是独居（β = 2.23，P = 0.044），BPSD的存在情况更高。此外，与处于类似情况的无HI者相比，经常进行对话（β = 1.51，P = 0.027）或不参与社交互动（β = 2.02，P = 0.020）的HI患者，BPSD的存在情况也更高。同样，独居（β = 4.54，P = 0.033）且缺乏社交互动（β = 3.89，P = 0.020）的HI患者BPSD严重程度增加。
我们的研究结果表明，独居且缺乏社交互动以及患有HI与BPSD的存在和严重程度均相关。此外，HI患者与同居家庭成员及其他人进行对话以增加言语交流，与BPSD的更高存在情况相关。减轻沟通压力并维持社会联系对于应对这些挑战至关重要。
