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Smoking, Central Adiposity, and Poor Glycemic Control Increase Risk of Hearing Impairment
Author(s) -
Cruickshanks Karen J.,
dahl David M.,
Dalton Dayna S.,
Fischer Mary E.,
Klein Barbara E. K.,
Klein Ronald,
Nieto F. Javier,
Schubert Carla R.,
Tweed Ted S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.13401
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , body mass index , waist , glycemic , population , hearing loss , incidence (geometry) , cumulative incidence , hazard ratio , cohort , endocrinology , confidence interval , audiology , environmental health , physics , optics
Objectives To determine associations between smoking, adiposity, diabetes mellitus, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and the 15‐year incidence of hearing impairment ( HI ). Design A longitudinal population‐based cohort study (1993–95 to 2009–10), the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study ( EHLS ). Setting Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Participants Participants in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (1988–90; residents of Beaver Dam, WI , aged 43–84 in 1987–88) were eligible for the EHLS . There were 1,925 participants with normal hearing at baseline. Measurements Fifteen‐year cumulative incidence of HI (pure‐tone average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz greater than 25 decibels hearing level in either ear). Cigarette smoking, exercise, and other factors were ascertained according to questionnaire. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. Results Follow‐up examinations (≥1) were obtained from 87.2% (n = 1,678; mean baseline age 61). The 15‐year cumulative incidence of HI was 56.8%. Adjusting for age and sex, current smoking (hazard ratio ( HR ) = 1.31, P = .048), education (<16 years; HR = 1.35, P = .01), waist circumference ( HR = 1.08 per 10 cm, P = .02), and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus ( HR = 2.03, P = .048) were associated with greater risk of HI . Former smokers and people with better‐controlled diabetes mellitus were not at greater risk. Conclusion Smoking, central adiposity, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus predicted incident HI . These well‐known risk factors for CVD suggest that vascular changes may contribute to HI in aging. Interventions targeting reductions in smoking and adiposity and better glycemic control in people with diabetes mellitus may help prevent or delay the onset of HI .