Tinnitus and dementia risk: a nationwide population-based case-control study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine if a history of tinnitus is associated with the risk of developing dementia.

Method: A nationwide population-based case-control study including all eligible adults in Taiwan.

Results: A total of 15 686 patients were included in the study, with 7843 individuals making up each of the case and control groups. Patients with a history of tinnitus were associated with a statistically significant higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia before reaching 65 years old (50 years ≤ age <65 years) (adjusted odds ratio 2.68, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 1.19-6.05, p = 0.017). No statistical significance was found among those 65 years and older (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95 per cent CI 0.90-1.51, p = 0.235).

Conclusion: A history of tinnitus was associated with a 168 per cent increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia in those aged 50-65 years old. This association was not significant in those older than 65 years.

Keywords: dementia; tinnitus.

Figure 1.

Flow diagram of participant selection and study design. ICD9-CM = International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification; opd = out-patient visit; ipd = in-patient hospitalisation; y/o = years old; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus.