Gender differences in the relationship between hearing and visual impairments, dual sensory impairment, and depression in middle-aged and elderly populations

This study aims to explore the association between hearing impairment, visual impairment, dual sensory impairment, and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly populations in China, with an analysis of gender differences. This research is based on data from the nationally representative sample survey CHARLS, conducted from 2013 to 2020. A total of 9,780 participants were included in the study. These participants were divided into four groups based on their hearing and vision status: no impairment, hearing impairment only, visual impairment only, and dual sensory impairment. A longitudinal analysis was conducted using Cox regression models to assess the hazard ratios (HR) for the occurrence of depressive symptoms associated with hearing, visual, and dual sensory impairments. The Cox regression model indicated that, in the unadjusted model, hearing impairment, visual impairment, and dual sensory impairment were all risk factors for depression (P < 0.05). After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, compared to the no impairment group, the risk of depressive symptoms was 1.017 times higher (95% CI 0.886-1.167) in the hearing impairment group, with a gender-specific risk of 1.072 times (95% CI 0.880-1.305) for males and 0.962 times (95% CI 0.793-1.168) for females. The visual impairment group had a 1.118 times higher risk (95% CI 1.017-1.231), with a risk of 1.092 times (95% CI 0.946-1.262) for males and 1.155 times (95% CI 1.017-1.311) for females. The dual sensory impairment group had a 1.274 times higher risk (95% CI 1.165-1.393), with a gender-specific risk of 1.291 times (95% CI 1.131-1.473) for males and 1.267 times (95% CI 1.123-1.429) for females. Visual impairment and dual sensory impairment are independent risk factors for the occurrence of depressive symptoms, with notable gender differences. Understanding these associations and gender differences can help in developing more effective interventions to improve the mental health of middle-aged and elderly populations.