The cognition impairment of Parkinson's disease subtypes and risk factors for cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Objective To explore the cognition impairment of Parkinson's disease (PD) subtypes and the risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Methods Totally56 patients with PD and 30 control subjects were selected. All patients were assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), digital span test scale (DS), block design test scale (BD). The cognition impairment status of PD subtype was compared between the two groups. Risk factors for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease were analyzed by the multiple regression analysis. Results The scores (or accuracy) of visuospatial / executive function, memory, repeat, attention, animal naming, understanding, calculation, orientation in PD patients and control group were (29.84±13.78) and (44.63±10.95), (17.64±3.00) and (21.93±2.12), (1.64±0.90) and (2.40±0.62), 64.29% and 86.67%, (2.25±0.77) and (2.70±0.47), (2.66±0.67) and (2.93±0.25), (3.98±1.17) and (4.93±0.25), (9.59±0.68) and (9.93±0.25) respectively, and there were statistically significant differences in above indictors between two groups (t=-5.080, -7.707, -4.571, -3.374, -2.710, -5.844, -3.367, respectively, χ2=4.86, all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the cognitive function had a positive correlation with education status, had negative correlations with duration of disease, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)- Ⅲ, Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) staging, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) (MMSE: r=0.488, -0.682, -0.478, -0.465, -0.611, -0.538, respectively, all P<0.05, MoCA: r=0.553, -0.583, -0.396, -0.384, -0.499, -0.444, respectively, all P<0.05), and had no correlation with gender, age, age of onset. Taking the duration of disease, education status, UPDRS- Ⅲ, H-Y grade, HAMA, HRSD as the independent variable, MMSE, MoCA as the dependent variable, multiple linear regression analysis showed that only the duration of disease and education status had effects on cognitive dysfunction in PD (MMSE: β=-0.042, 0.196, both P=0.000, MoCA: β=-0.052, 0.367, both P<0.05). Conclusions The key points of cognition impairment in PD patients are the impairments in visuospatial/executive function, memory, repeat, attention, animal naming, understanding, calculation and orientation. The duration of disease and low level of education are the risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease. Key words: Parkinson disease; Cognition disorders