Aim: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline which may impact diabetes self-care and outcomes. Assessment of cognitive function is not routine practice. The primary objective was to assess cognitive function in outpatients >55 years with T2D.
Method: People with T2D (> 55 years) attending a tertiary hospital diabetes outpatient clinic with no known cognitive impairment and sufficient English language skills were recruited. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaires were completed with a trained investigator. Routine demographic and clinical data were obtained from healthcare records. Analysis was descriptive and results expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Institutional ethics approval was obtained.
Results: Forty patients were enrolled, age 71.3 ± 8.7 years, 75% male, diabetes duration was 15.4 ±8.7 years and current HbA1c 7.7% ± 1.2%. The number of medications prescribed was 8.2 ± 3.7. The PAID score was 14.2 ± 13.3. In 27/40 (67.5%) patients the MOCA score was <26/30 (23.6 ± 2.8) indicating cognitive impairment. The number of medications prescribed to this group was 8.4 ± 3.7. High risk medicines were prescribed to 23/27 (85%) of this cohort of patients.
Conclusion: Cognitive screening highlighted the prevalence of impairment in this outpatient clinic population (67.5%). Inclusion of routine cognitive screening can identify people who may benefit from additional diabetes management support and appropriate modifications to treatment regimens. This data will inform plans to implement routine screening in accordance with professional guidelines and screening principles.
J. Ludington: None. R. Chen: Speaker's Bureau; Abbott Diagnostics, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim. Advisory Panel; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company. Advisory Panel; Novo Nordisk. Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk. D. Gnjidic: None.
