Prevalence and Determinants of Cognitive Dysfunction among Patients with Diabetes in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cognitive dysfunction is recognized as a major diabetes comorbidity and complication that affects an individual's well-being. Recent studies demonstrated that diabetic patients have a higher incidence of cognitive dysfunction. As a result, new diabetes management guidelines recommend screening for cognitive impairments in older diabetics. Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence and potential risk of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic patients. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November, 2022 where 257 patients with diabetes were selected byconvenient sample technique. Cognitive dysfunction was measured by using Mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Sociodemographic, diabetes related and clinical factors were analyzed as cofactors of cognitive dysfunction. Result: The findings of the study revealed that 38.9% of participants had cognitive dysfunction while 12.1% had severe cognitive dysfunction. The domain of delayed recall was the most affected, while language/praxis was least affected domain of MMSE. Duration of diabetes was inversely associated with cognitive dysfunction. Results of logistic regression analysis revealed low level of education (OR = 4.95; p =.043) and more duration of diabetes (OR = 6.08; p =.010) were independently associated with severe cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Diabetes patients in their middle and advanced years are particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline. Therefore, healthcare professionals and family physicians should focus more on detecting cognitive decline in the early stages of diabetes mellitus.