IL-6 LEVELS AND COGNITIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: It is important to monitor and manage macrovascular and microvascular complications, which are significant causes of mortality and morbidity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Diabetes-related cognitive impairment is an important complication that has recently attracted more attention, but its pathophysiology and clinical features are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of inflammation in diabetes-related cognitive impairment. Material and Method: A total of 122 participants (67 patients with T2DM and 55 controls) took part in this cross-sectional observational clinical study. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. IL-6 levels were measured using the ELISA method on blood samples obtained from the participants. Result and Discussion: Although IL-6 levels increased with diabetes and cognitive impairment, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Except for attention and orientation, we observed significantly more impaired cognitive performance in T2DM patients. The MoCA total score was significantly correlated with age, education level, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and vitamin D levels (p<0.05). Our results found no evidence that IL-6 is involved in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in T2DM, but these findings the importance of cognitive screening in monitoring complications associated with diabetes.