Perceived Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Function in Elderly Outpatient Attendees of the South West Region of Cameroon
Surdité de Perception et Fonctions Cognitives chez les Sujets Âgés de la Région du Sud-Ouest du Cameroun
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/hra.v2i12.6234Keywords:
Hearing loss, hearing impairment, cognitive dysfunction, aging, CameroonAbstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Background: Hearing impairment (HI) and cognitive impairment (CI) are common health problems in elderly patients, with far-reaching and diverse consequences. We sought to describe the hearing profile, cognitive profile, and associated factors in elderly patients received at a tertiary level hospital in Cameroon, and determine the relationship between HI and CI. Methodology. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study, at the outpatient department of a tertiary level and referral hospital in Cameroon. We included all consenting elderly patients aged 55years and above from February to April 2024. Critically ill patients and those with known neurological conditions were excluded. Results. A total of 107 patients were included. The average age was 69.1±8.7years. Using the HHIE-S tool, 26 individuals had HI (24.3%). Participants with primary level of education had a significantly higher risk of having HI compared to patients with higher levels (aOR=4.1, 95% CI=1.2-13.8, p=0.02). CI was found in 38 (35.5%) individuals. Twenty-one (19.63%) participants had both HI and CI. Factors associated with CI on multivariate analysis were age ≥60years (aOR=15.1, 95% CI=1.9-117.7, p=0.01), lower level of education (aOR=5.5, 95% CI=1.8-16.9, p=0.003), and HI (aOR=13.3, 95% CI=4-44.8, p<0.001). Married participants had less odds of developing CI (aOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.1-0.9, p=0.03). Conclusion. The significant association between HI and CI justifies intentional screening, holistic assessment, and integrated management.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Les déficiences auditives et les déficiences cognitives sont des problèmes de santé courants chez les personnes âgées, dont les conséquences sont vastes et diverses. Nous avons cherché à décrire le profil auditif, le profil cognitif et les facteurs associés chez les patients âgés accueillis dans un hôpital de niveau tertiaire au Cameroun, et à déterminer la relation entre les déficiences auditives et les déficiences cognitives. Méthodologie. Nous avons mené une étude transversale en milieu hospitalier, au service des consultations externes d'un hôpital de niveau tertiaire et de référence au Cameroun. Nous avons inclus tous les patients âgés de 55 ans et plus, consentants, de février à avril 2024. Les patients gravement malades et ceux présentant des troubles neurologiques connus ont été exclus. Résultats. Au total, 107 patients ont été inclus. L'âge moyen était de 69,1±8,7 ans. En utilisant l'outil HHIE-S, 26 personnes étaient atteintes de HI (24,3 %). Les participants ayant un niveau d'éducation primaire avaient un risque significativement plus élevé d'avoir un IH que les patients ayant un niveau d'éducation plus élevé (aOR=4.1, 95% CI=1.2-13.8, p=0.02). L'IC a été trouvé chez 38 personnes (35,5 %). Vingt-et-un (19,63 %) participants présentaient à la fois un HI et un CI. Les facteurs associés à l'IC dans l'analyse multivariée étaient l'âge ≥60 ans (aOR=15,1, 95% CI=1,9-117,7, p=0,01), un niveau d'éducation inférieur (aOR=5,5, 95% CI=1,8-16,9, p=0,003), et le HI (aOR=13,3, 95% CI=4-44,8, p<0,001). Les participants mariés avaient moins de chances de développer une IC (aOR=0,3, 95% CI=0,1-0,9, p=0,03). Conclusion. L'association significative entre l'IH et l'IC justifie un dépistage intentionnel, une évaluation holistique et une prise en charge intégrée.
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