Relationship between glycemic control and cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes in a hospital aged care unit

Objectives. - To examine the association between glycemic control and the degree of cognitive impairment in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Our hypothesis is less cognitive impairment is associated with better glycemic control. Design. - Cross-sectional study. Setting. - Patients in subacute aged care unit at Heidelberg Repatriation hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants. - A total of 142 subjects aged 63 to 96 with prior diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Methods. - Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and glycemic control was measured by a validated method. Results. - An inverse correlation was observed between the MMSE score and HbA(1c) levels (r = 0.239, P = 0.004), which persisted after controlling for variables of interest including age, gender, BMI, diabetes duration, years of education and other co-morbidities. A 1-point-higher MMSE score was associated with a 0.239 lower HbA(1c) value (P = 0.001). Conclusion. - This study suggests that better glycemic control is associated with less cognitive impairment in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society. All rights reserved.