Cross-sectional analysis of plasma n-3 fatty acid levels and self-reported hearing difficulty in the UK Biobank Cohort
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Disabling hearing loss affects ∼430 million people globally. Fish consumption and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake were inversely associated with risk of hearing loss, but the association of plasma n-3 PUFAs and hearing loss is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between plasma n-3 PUFA fractions (as % of total fatty acids), i.e., DHA % and Other n-3 PUFA % (defined as total n-3 PUFA minus DHA), with self-reported hearing difficulty in a population-based cohort in the UK.
METHODS
Our study includes 175,177 UK Biobank participants (40-69y, 54 % women) with data on plasma n-3 PUFA and hearing status. Baseline plasma PUFA levels were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance, and self-reported hearing difficulty was obtained by questionnaire between 2007 and 2010. Logistic regression was used to estimate age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs), multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (MVORs) by adjusting for 14 demographic, behavioral, biomarker and health-related potential confounders, and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
Hearing difficulty was reported by 26.7 % of participants. Higher plasma n-3 PUFA levels were independently associated with lower odds of self-reported hearing difficulty. The prevalence of hearing difficulty rose across age strata (40-49y, 15.8 %; 50-59y, 24.9 % and 60+y, 34.4 %; p < 0.0001) and overall was higher in males (33.2 %) than females (21.3 %). Compared with those in the lowest quintile of plasma DHA % or Other…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 175,177 participants or records.
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