Is cognitive impairment associated with the presence and severity of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Rodrigo O Moreira,Ana Luiza Soldera,Carolina Meireles,Rosane Kupfer,Bruno Cury

doi:10.1186/s13098-015-0045-0

Rodrigo O Moreira, Ana Luiza Soldera + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-015-0045-0

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Abstract

BackgroundPeripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) and cognitive impairment are complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) that seem to share several underlying mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetic patients would have worse cognitive function than non diabetic individuals and within diabetic patients, whether those with PDN would present an even more significant cognitive impairment.FindingsNinety four (94) outpatients with Type 2 DM were sequentially evaluated. Also, Fifty four (54) healthy individuals were sequentially selected to match the diabetic group. For the assessment of neuropathy, Portuguese versions of the Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS) and Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS) were used. Global cognitive function was assessed by using the Portuguese Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Tests A and B and Verbal Fluency Test. Significantly lower scores were found in the Type 2 DM group in comparison to control group in the MMSE (25.7 [16–30] vs 27.6 [19–30]; p <0.001). Within T2DM group, forty five (45) patients were diagnosed with PDN. No differences were found between patients with and without PDN in all cognitive tests (p >0.05 in all comparison). No correlation was also found among NSS, NDS and any of the cognitive tests.ConclusionAlthough diabetic patients do have a worse cognitive function, this impairment does not seem to be related to the presence and/or severity of PDN.

Highlights

Patients with poorly controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) usually develop complications, microvascular
Conclusion: diabetic patients do have a worse cognitive function, this impairment does not seem to be related to the presence and/or severity of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)
Patients with T2DM were compared with the control group

Summary

Introduction

Patients with poorly controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) usually develop complications, microvascular. Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is characterized by progressive nerve destruction, leading to innumerous different clinical presentations, including Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) [1]. Cognitive impairment has been demonstrated as a complication of T2DM [2]. The pathogenesis has been linked mainly to impaired insulin signaling [3], some studies have suggested that it may share multiple pathogenic pathways with PDN, including oxidative stress, Patients and Methods. Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) and cognitive impairment are complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) that seem to share several underlying mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetic patients would have worse cognitive function than non diabetic individuals and within diabetic patients, whether those with PDN would present an even more significant cognitive impairment

Objectives

Results

Conclusion