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Objective: To determine the prevalence of cognitive (memory or confusion) complaints in older adults with visual impairment (VI). Method: We assessed the relationship between VI (corrected visual acuity [VA] < 20/40) and self-reported confusion or problems with memory among participants aged 60 years to 85 years in the 1999-2006 cycles of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( n = 5,795). Prevalence estimates of cognitive complaints were calculated using Current Population Surveys. Results: Memory/confusion complaints were reported in 22% of the VI group and 11% of the no VI group ( p < .001). In individuals aged ≥ 80 years, 30% of those with VI reported cognitive complaints, as compared with 19% with no VI ( p = .003). In fully adjusted models, individuals with VI were more likely (OR = 1.3, p = .049) to report cognitive complaints as compared with those without VI. Conclusion: Subjective reports of memory or confusion are highly prevalent in older individuals with VI.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of disability (activities of daily living [ADL] and instrumental ADL [IADL]), self-rated health (SRH), and 6-year mortality with co-existing impairments in vision (self-rated), hearing (self-rated), and/or cognition (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire) in older adults. Method: The study sample comprised of 3,871 participants from the North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly study (NC EPESE). Results: Persons with all three impairments had increased odds of ADL/IADL disability and low SRH. Participants with combined visual and cognitive impairments had increased odds of mortality. Whereas sensory impairments were associated with poor SRH, cognitive impairment was not unless both sensory impairments were present. Conclusion: Co-existent sensory and cognitive impairments were associated with higher risk of impaired functional status. Self-rated auditory impairment alone was not associated with higher odds of death, but mortality was linked to visual and, particularly, cognitive impairment, alone or combined.