A study comparing cognitive function assessment in type-2 diabetes mellitus using Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale and Mini Mental State Examination

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which can predispose to cognitive impairment. It is important to screen diabetic patients for cognitive dysfunction in the routine clinical management. Our study aimed at comparative evaluation of commonly used cognition assessment tools such as Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) in diabetes patients. METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective case–control design in a tertiary care teaching hospital from March to October 2015. After obtaining written informed consent, the data on demographic details, duration of diabetes, and glycemic control marked by glycated hemoglobin were recorded. A total of 101 previously diagnosed type-2 diabetes patients and an equal number of age-, gender-, and literacy-matched controls without diabetes were administered the MMSE and RUDAS cognition scales in a one-to-one interview by a trained diabetic educator who was blinded to the groups. RESULTS: The study revealed that there was a significant difference in cognition scores between the diabetic patients with short duration ( CONCLUSION: MMSE scale has been proved to be advantageous over the RUDAS as a screening tool for cognition assessment in diabetes patients.