Association between self-reported hearing impairment, use of a hearing aid and performance of instrumental activities of daily living.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Age-related hearing loss is a prevalent condition among the growing elderly population, which has been associated with both cognitive decline and decreased daily functioning. Decreased functioning is linked to lower performance, predominantly regarding instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The present study aims to explore the association between hearing loss and impairment in IADLs. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of The Health, Well-Being, and Aging Colombia study, performed in 2015. Participants were classified into three groups: 1) without hearing loss, 2) hearing loss corrected through the use of a hearing aid, and 3) hearing loss without a hearing aid. Bivariate and adjusted multivariate analyses were performed. The measured outcome was IADLs. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Information from a total of 23,694 community-dwelling Colombian older adults (age ≥ 60 years) was used. The prevalence of hearing impairment was 23.4%, 1.8% out of those reported the use of hearing aids. Independent associations were found for having impaired IADLs when comparing participants with hearing loss without a hearing aid and those with normal hearing. However, there was no statistical significance with respect to IADLs when comparing hearing loss corrected by hearing aids versus participants with normal hearing. Participants using hearing aids have better functioning evaluated by IADLs when compared with participants with hearing impairment and no hearing aids. CONCLUSION: This study evidences a positive association between hearing impairment and performance in the IADLs. This association is not significant in older adults using hearing aids.

Hallazgos radiológicos en sistema nervioso central (SNC) del síndrome de MELAS: reporte de caso / Radiological findings of MELAS syndrome in central nervous system (CNS): case report

RESUMEN Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente adulta joven con episodios recurrentes sugestivos de ataque cerebrovascular, con cambios radiológicos típicos de enfermedad de MELAS con confirmación genética de mutación en el gen A3243G.

SUMMARY A clinical case of a young adult patient with recurrent episodes suggestive of stroke, with typical radiological changes of MELAS disease with genetic confirmation of mutation in A3243G gene.