Objective To explore the relationship between sensory impairment and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) in Chinese older adults.

Methods Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) for the period 2011-2015 were utilized. Sensory impairment, including vision and hearing impairment, was assessed through self-report. This study categorized sensory impairment into control group, visual impairment group, hearing impairment group, and dual sensory impairment group. MCR was assessed using two components: gait speed and subjective cognitive complaints. Gait speed was objectively measured, while subjective cognitive complaints were self-reported. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to examine the relationship between sensory impairment and MCR.

Results A total of 2, 439 subjects were included, comprising 74 males and 1, 165 females. The GEE analysis revealed that dual sensory impairment significantly increased the risk of MCR in both the unadjusted model and the adjusted model, which controlled for baseline age, sex, education, marital status, drink, depressive symptoms and stroke (all P < 0.05). The risk of MCR in the dual sensory impairment group was 1.955 (95%CI: 1.272-3.005) times higher than that of the control group.

Conclusion Dual sensory impairment is associated with MCR, highlighting the importance of paying more attention to the cognitive health of individuals with dual sensory impairment.