Neuropsychological status of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus
Received 28 April 2009; received in revised form 21 September 2009; accepted 28 September 2009. published online 30 October 2009.
Abstract
Aim
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) but the relationship between DM and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), characterized by isolated memory loss, is unclear. We studied the prevalence of MCI in DM patients.
Methods
Neuropsychological status was evaluated using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Subjects consisted of 103 consecutive diabetic patients hospitalized for diabetic education. Patients with severe diabetic complications or cerebrovascular accidents were excluded.
Results
Neuropsychological evaluation of DM patients showed that 71% were normal (MMSE score ≥24 and RBMT score ≥15), 5% had amnestic MCI (aMCI) (MMSE score ≥24 and RBMT score <15) and the remaining 23% had dementia (MMSE score <24). The percentage of patients with dementia was significantly higher in the DM group than in the control group (p<0.04). RBMT score and HbA1c were mildly correlated in diabetic patients.
Conclusion
High blood sugar may cause deterioration in not only memory function but also other cognitive domains in elderly patients with DM. Monitoring the neuropsychological status of this patient population is important.
ABSTRACT