Prevalence and associated factors with cognitive disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala

Abstract

Background: Cognitive disorders can lead to poor therapeutic adherence, inadequate glycemic control and progressive loss of autonomy. In the long term, these disorders increase the risk of dementia, particularly of the Alzheimer’s or vascular type, thereby worsening morbidity, and dependency. The objective of our study was to investigate the epidemiology of cognitive disorders
in patients with type 2 diabetes at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (HLD).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study over a 4-month period, including 234 diabetic patients. Non-diabetic subjects served as controls. Cognitive function was assessed using the Folstein Mini Mental State Examination. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results: The mean age of participants was 58.59 ± 11.4 years. Cognitive disorders were more prevalent among diabetic patients (40.6%, 95/234) compared to non-diabetic controls (16.8%, 41/243) (p < 0.01). Risk factors significantly associated with cognitive impairment included advanced age (OR = 8.81; p = 0.006), systolic blood pressure (OR = 9.54; p < 0.001), retinopathy (OR = 6.5; p < 0.001), nephropathy (OR = 5.66; p < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (OR = 8.57; p < 0.001), history of hypoglycemia (OR = 3.15; p < 0.001), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 5.16; p < 0.001), and abnormal glycated hemoglobin levels (OR = 4.32; p = 0.006).

Conclusion: Cognitive disorders were significantly more common in patients with type 2 diabetes than in non-diabetics, and were associated with aging, vascular complications, sedentary lifestyle, and poor glycemic control.