The role of serum α-Klotho levels in preventing hearing impairment among middle-aged and older adults: insights from a nationally representative sample

Siyuan Wang; Wen Sun; Chan Ding; Wenxin Zhou; Min Zhang; Huadong Xu

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1415494

The role of serum α-Klotho levels in preventing hearing impairment among middle-aged and older adults: insights from a nationally representative sample

Front Aging Neurosci. 2024 Nov 14:16:1415494. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1415494. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Siyuan Wang¹, Wen Sun¹, Chan Ding¹, Wenxin Zhou¹, Min Zhang², Huadong Xu¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
² School of Medical Humanities and Management (School of General Practice Competency Education), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Abstract

Background: The Klotho gene is implicated in suppressing aging phenotypes and influencing age-related diseases. Previous studies have delved into its connection with different diseases, yet the association between Klotho and hearing loss has rarely been examined. A recent population study explored the relationship between serum Klotho and hearing loss, but it had certain limitations. This study aims to analyze the link between serum α-Klotho levels and hearing thresholds, as well as the risk of hearing loss.

Methods: A total of 1,762 adults aged 40-69 years were selected from the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data on audiometry, serum α-Klotho levels, and relevant covariates were gathered. Statistical analyses, including linear and logistic regression, assessed the relationships of serum α-Klotho levels with hearing outcomes.

Results: Increased serum α-Klotho levels were correlated with diminished hearing thresholds and a lower risk of hearing loss. Quartile analysis revealed a significant trend, where elevated α-Klotho levels were linked to better auditory outcomes. Adjusted models controlled for various covariates, affirming the robustness of the findings. Non-linear associations were not observed.

Conclusion: This study provided novel evidence of a negative association between serum α-Klotho and hearing impairment in adults aged 40-69. Our results suggested a protective role of serum α-Klotho on adults with hearing loss.

Keywords: Klotho; adults; hearing loss; hearing thresholds; restricted cubic splines.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LQ23H260007), the Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department (Y202249200), Basic Scientific Research Funds of Department of Education of Zhejiang Province (KYYB202202), Special Project of Hangzhou Medical College (YS2021013), and Key Discipline of Zhejiang Province in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (First Class, Category A).