Association Between Cognitive and Physical Functions in Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a growing concern in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD).
• Understanding the prevalence and impact of cognitive decline in HD patients is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive impairment (CI) in patients receiving haemodialysis (HD).
• To identify physical function characteristics associated with MCI and CI in HD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 147 HD outpatients.
• Cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) for MCI and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for CI.
• Patients categorized into normal, MCI, and CI groups; physical function compared using multivariate analysis.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates: 40% for MCI and 26% for CI among HD patients.
• Patients with CI showed significantly lower physical function (grip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery, gait speed) compared to normal and MCI groups.
• No significant physical function differences were found between normal and MCI groups.

Conclusions:

• Mild cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment are highly prevalent in the haemodialysis population.
• Cognitive impairment is strongly associated with a marked decline in physical function in HD patients.
• Further research is warranted to explore interventions targeting cognitive and physical function in this vulnerable group.