Glycaemic control and cognitive impairment among type 2 Diabetic patients attending family medicine clinics, University of Ilorin teaching hospital, Ilorin

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with type 2 diabetes has been found to be influenced by several factors, one of which is the level of glycaemic control. Likewise, CI may influence the patient's attitude to the management of diabetes. Hence, there is a need to manage the two conditions holistically in patients. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and glycaemic control among type 2 diabetics attending the Family Medicine clinics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin.
Materials and method: The study was a descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 274 adult type 2 diabetic patients attending the Family Medicine clinics of UITH, Ilorin from March through May 2017 were recruited into the study. Intervieweradministered tructured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the respondents. The level of cognitive impairment among respondents was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Glycaemic control was measured using fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). These were obtained following standard procedures. Data were collated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 (SPSS-21). Result: The method of measurement of glycaemic control that had statistical significance with cognitive impairment was the use of glycosylated haemoglobin (p= 0.026).
Conclusion: Poor glycaemic control is a likely risk factor for cognitive impairment or its worsening among type 2 diabetics. Hence, good control of glycaemic level should be ensured among type 2 diabetics to prevent CI or its worsening among type 2 diabetic patients.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment, Type 2 Diabetes, Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin.