Risk of early-onset dementia among persons with tinnitus: a retrospective case-control study

Tinnitus-associated cognitive and psychological impairments: a comprehensive review meta-analysis

Background

Tinnitus is strongly associated with an increased risk of cognitive disabilities. The findings of this research will provide valuable support for future investigations aimed at determining the correlation between tinnitus and the risk of cognitive impairments.

Objectives

We investigated the potential correlation between tinnitus and the risk of various cognitive impairments, such as dementia, compromised learning attention, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The study examined this relationship collectively and by categorizing the data based on different age groups.

Methods

We compiled data from case-control studies and cohort studies obtained from reputable databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. To minimize potential bias, two reviewers independently assessed the selected articles. After extracting the data, we calculated the pooled odds ratios (ORs) using a random-effects model.

Results

Seventeen relevant studies, comprising an adult population, were included in this analysis. Pooled estimated outcomes revealed a strong association between tinnitus and an elevated risk of dementia-compromised learning, auditory attention, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality (P<0.05). Furthermore, the pooled analysis stratified by age demonstrated that patients aged above 60 years, in comparison to those aged 18 to 60 years, exhibited more significant outcomes in relation to the progression of cognitive impairments.

Conclusion

Tinnitus has the potential to increase the risk of cognitive impairments. Moreover, geriatric patients aged above 60 shows a higher susceptibility to developing cognitive disabilities compared to their younger counterparts.

Considering hearing loss as a modifiable risk factor for dementia

INTRODUCTION

Accumulating evidence links hearing loss to impaired cognitive performance and increased risk for dementia. Hearing loss can lead to deafferentation-induced atrophy of frontotemporal brain regions and dysregulation of cognitive control networks from increased listening effort. Hearing loss is also associated with reduced social engagement, loneliness, and depression, which are independently associated with poor cognitive function.

AREAS COVERED

We summarize the evidence and postulated mechanisms linking hearing loss to dementia in older adults and synthesize the available literature demonstrating beneficial effects of hearing remediation on brain structure and function.

EXPERT OPINION

: Further research is needed to evaluate whether treatment of hearing loss may reduce risk of cognitive decline and improve neural consequences of hearing loss. Studies may investigate the pathologic mechanisms linking these late-life disorders and identify individuals vulnerable to dementia, and future clinical trials may evaluate whether hearing treatment may reduce the risk for dementia.

Environmental and lifestyle risk factors for early-onset dementia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The term early-onset dementia (EOD) encompasses several forms of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by symptom onset before 65 years and leading to severe impact on subjects already in working activities, as well as on their family and caregivers. Despite the increasing incidence, the etiology is still unknown, with possible association of environmental factors, although the evidence is still scarce. In this review, we aimed to assess how several environmental and lifestyle factors may be associated with the onset of this disease.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search in PubMed and EMBASE databases up to May 6, 2022, to retrieve epidemiological studies evaluating the effect of environmental and lifestyle factors on EOD risk.

RESULTS

We eventually included 22 studies, ten with cohort and twelve with case-control design. Traumatic injury, especially on the head/brain, some cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation and stroke, metabolic diseases including diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, and alcohol consumption have been identified as potential risk factors for EOD. Conversely, playing leisure activities including sports (without trauma), higher educational attainment and higher adherence to Mediterranean DASH-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet appeared to be protective for EOD.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature on environmental risk factors for EOD has been considerably growing in recent years. Overall, it supports an association between some environmental and lifestyle factors with disease risk. However, additional high-quality research is required to confirm these relations and its causal nature (www.actabiomedica.it).