Associations of Dietary Riboflavin, Niacin, and Retinol with Age-related Hearing Loss: An Analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Abstract

Because age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is irreversible, prevention is very important. Thus, investigating modifying factors that help prevent ARHL is critical for the elderly. Nutritional status or nutritional factors for the elderly are known to be associated with many problems related to aging. Emerging studies suggest that there was the interaction between nutrition and ARHL. We aimed to investigate the possible impact of dietary nutrients on ARHL using data from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) which included 4742 subjects aged ≥ 65 years from 2010 to 2012. All participants underwent an otologic examination, audiologic evaluation, and nutritional survey. The associations between ARHL and nutrient intake were analyzed using simple and multiple regression models with complex sampling adjusted for confounding factors, such as BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and history of hypertension and diabetes. Higher intake groups of riboflavin, niacin and retinol was inversely associated with ARHL prevalence (riboflavin aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54–0.94; p = 0.016, niacin aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54–0.96; p = 0.025, retinol aOR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.86; p = 0.002, respectively). Our findings suggest the recommended intake levels of riboflavin, niacin, and retinol may help reduce ARHL in the elderly.