Sensory impairment and risk of incident depression in older adults: a harmonized longitudinal analysis of 72,177 individuals across six international cohorts
Abstract
Background: Evidence linking sensory impairment to depression is predominantly Western. We quantified longitudinal associations of single and dual sensory impairment (DSI) with incident depression using harmonized data from six countries.
Methods: We analyzed 72,177 older adults (aged ≥50) from HRS (USA), ELSA (UK), SHARE (Europe), CHARLS (China), KLOSA (South Korea), and MHAS (Mexico). Participants free of depression at baseline (2010-2015) were followed for 2-10 years. Sensory status was categorized as no impairment, vision impairment only (VI), hearing impairment only (HI), and DSI. We used multivariable Cox models and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to estimate pooled hazard ratios (HRs).
Findings: Sensory impairment was consistently associated with an increased depression risk. DSI conferred the highest risk (pooled HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.32-1.46), followed by HI (HR 1.21, 1.16-1.27) and VI (HR 1.15, 1.11-1.20). Associations were stronger in Western cohorts (DSI HRs ≥1.84 in UK/USA) than in Asian and Latin American populations. Subgroup analyses showed higher DSI-associated risk among individuals with college education (HR 1.68) compared to those with lower education (HR 1.35).
Interpretation: Sensory impairment, particularly DSI, is robustly associated with incident depression globally, though effects vary by geopolitical and socioeconomic context. Integrated sensory and mental health screening is critical for preventing late-life depression.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 72,177 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.