The factors contributing to cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Cognitive dysfunction is a common complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
• Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of T2DM, and its relationship with cognitive status requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors contributing to cognitive dysfunction in T2DM patients.
• To elucidate the complex relationship between DR and varying cognitive statuses.

Main Methods:

• 297 T2DM patients were assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).
• Cognitive status was categorized into dementia and non-dementia (based on MMSE/CDR), with non-dementia further classified into mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognition (based on MOCA).
• Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with cognitive dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of dementia and MCI was 15.8% and 58.6% respectively among the 297 T2DM subjects.
• Adjusted analyses revealed waist circumference (OR: 1.057) and DR (OR: 2.197) as risk factors for dementia.
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was a risk factor for MCI (OR: 1.635), while age at T2DM onset (OR: 0.936) and moderate drinking (OR: 0.289) were protective factors for MCI.

Conclusions:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.
• Waist circumference and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are identified as risk factors for dementia in T2DM.
• LDL-C is a risk factor for MCI, whereas moderate drinking and earlier age at T2DM onset are protective against MCI; DR is not associated with MCI.