Cognitive Functioning in Obstructive Lung Disease: Results from the United Kingdom Biobank

Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare domains of cognitive functioning between persons with and without obstructive lung disease (OLD) and to analyze the relationship between cognitive functioning and the degree of airflow limitation. DesignAn observational population-based study. SettingThis research was conducted using the United Kingdom Biobank Resource. ParticipantsThe study population consisted of 43,039 persons with complete data on cognitive functioning and spirometry. MeasurementsCognitive functioning was compared between persons with and without OLD using linear regression analysis. The relationship between impairment in lung function and cognitive impairment was assessed among persons with OLD. ResultsPersons with OLD had significantly worse scores than persons without OLD on prospective memory [β = –0.15 (–0.22 to –0.09)], visuospatial memory [β round 1 = 0.06 (0.03‒0.10)]; β round 2 = 0.09 (<0.001‒0.18)), numeric short-term memory [β = ‒0.05 (‒0.10 to <0.001)] and cognitive processing speed [β = 4.62 (1.25‒8.01)] after correction for possible confounders. Impairment in prospective memory [β = 0.004 (<0.001‒0.01)] and numeric short-term memory [β = 0.01 (0.003‒0.01)] were weakly related to FEV1 (adjusted P < .05). ConclusionsPersons with OLD experience cognitive impairment in different domains, which is partially related to airway obstruction. In particular, memory and information processing are affected. Further assessment of the relationship with patient-related outcomes is needed to optimize patient-oriented treatment.