Cognitive impairment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre

Abstract

COPD is characterized by a progressive and irreversible airway obstruction and lung inflammation that is diagnosed using spirometry, and more specifically an FEV₁/FVC < 0. 70. Cognitive impairments in COPD patients are manifested in the changes in the attention, memory, and executive functions and are caused by hypoxic damage to neurons. The purpose of this research was to establish the proportion of patients with COPD who have cognitive impairment and the relationship between the two. The study was carried out between December 2018 and December 2019 and involved 95 COPD patients. Information gathered included sociodemographic and behavioral factors, spirometry and arterial oxygen saturation. The results showed that the prevalence of MCI was 32 percent among the participants. 6 percent of COPD patients, and its prevalence rises in proportion to the disease’s progression (p<0. 001). Since cognitive impairment is related to poor health and survival in COPD patients, it is necessary to detect and raise awareness about it.