ROLE OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN FORMATION OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Background. An important extrapulmonary manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is cognitive impairment. However, at the moment the role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in its formation is not clearly understood. Aim. To study the role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in formation of cognitive impairment and of its peculiarities in different stages of COPD. Materials and Methods. The study included 55 males divided into two groups: 28 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 27 conventionally healthy volunteers of control group. All the participants were subjected to general clinical examination, spirometry, pulse oximetry, CAT assessment test and assessment of cognitive functions in MoCa test. Results. COPD patients showed reduction in cognitive functions according to MoCa test (24 points against 27 points in the control group, p=0.003). The greatest contribution to reduction of the cognitive functions in COPD patients was made by movement disorders (p=0.032), changes in memory (p=0.016), disorders in coordination (p=0.010) and in sleep (p<0.001). It was found that in COPD patients the total score of MoCa test correlated with the score of CAT assessment test (r=-0.580, p=0.001) and with saturation (r=0.420, p=0.026). COPD patients of group D exhibited poorer parameters of cognitive function as compared to group C (20 points against 28 points, respectively, p=0.011). COPD patients had a tendency to a higher rate of speech disorders (61% against 33%) and to dizziness (25% against 7%). Conclusion. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease an evident reduction of cognitive functions was noted. Increased evidence of bronchial obstruction and buildup of symptoms were accompanied by a progressive reduction of cognitive functions. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease more commonly presented with sleep and speech disorders and disorders in the abstract intelligence, and also in visual-constructive and performing skills.