Cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebrovascular disease and diabetes

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Aim

To evaluate cognitive function in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Material and methods

We recruited 112 patients (average age of 64.0±8.3 years) with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and distributed them into two groups: 48 patients with type 2 diabetes and 64 patients without type 2 diabetes. Cognitive function was studied using Arnold-Collman test, two word-groups test, “free association” test, MMSE and MoCA, count “100-7”. We also conducted computer EEG and studied cognitive evoked potentials (P300).

Results

Cognitive dysfunction was common in both groups of patients. However, it was more prominent in type 2 diabetic patients. Memory impairment was shown in 96% of type 2 diabetics and 68% of patients without type 2 diabetes. Average MoCA was significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes (p=0.04). Moreover, moderate to severe cognitive dysfunction (MoCA score 23-19) and diffuse cerebral lesions (leukareosis and cerebral atrophy) were more prevalent in this group of patients.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease is associated with more prominent cognitive dysfunction and more common diffuse cerebral lesions.

Key words

Cerebrovascular pathology, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cognitive dysfunction, hyperglycemia.