CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE DECLINE AMONG ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE I AND TYPE II

Background: The damaging consequences that diabetes mellitus holds for the body are widely understood. Less focus, however, has been allotted to the consequences it holds for the mind. Diabetes mellitus, especially type-I, has been linked to a compromised performance on various cognitive function domains. The precise pathophysiological route of cognitive dysfunction among diabetics is not fully understandable, but it is probable that modalities that bring about effects on the body, too are responsible for affecting the mind. Objective: To study the effects that diabetes, a physically belittling disease, has on the mind and its ability to function by looking for clinically relevant cognitive impairment in individuals suffering from the disease. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study included a sample of 200 individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus aged 60 and above, selected using consecutive sampling, and presenting at the medicine unit 2 outpatient department at Liaquat University Hospital. Jamshoro and Hyderabad from January 1, 2016 to April 10, 2016. Verbal informed consent was obtained before administering structured interview administered questionnaires. Cognitive decline was assessed using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and a supplementary self-structured questionnaire for qualitative insight into the cognitive state and its correlates. Result: The presence of clinically relevant cognitive impairment was two times higher among participants with type 1 than type 2 diabetes Mellitus. Both types of diabetes showed statistically significant difference than the normal values of the population. Conclusion: Clinically relevant cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among subjects with childhood-onset type I diabetes mellitus. Chronic hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are thought to be the causes behind this cognitive impairment. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Childhood-onset, Cognitive impairment, Cognitive Decline.