The aim of the study was to evaluate longitudinal associations between HbA1c levels, diabetes status and subsequent cognitive decline over a 10 year follow-up period. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and reassessed every 2 years.
HbA1c was significantly associated with an increased rate of decline in global cognitive, memory and executive function. Similarly, memory, executive function and orientation showed an increased rate of cognitive decline with diabetes.
Future studies are required to determine the effects of maintaining optimal glucose control on the rate of cognitive decline in people with diabetes.
Diabetologia
Also see:
Midlife factors and dementia: a 25 year study
2017 ADA Guidelines: Comorbidities and Diabetes
Diabetologia
Longitudinal
January 2018
Aims/hypothesis
The aim of the study was to evaluate longitudinal associations between HbA1c levels, diabetes status and subsequent cognitive decline over a 10 year follow-up period.
Methods
Data from wave 2 (2004–2005) – wave 7 (2014–2015) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) were analysed. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline (wave 2) and reassessed every 2 years at waves 3–7. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate longitudinal associations.
Results
The study comprised 5,189 participants (55.1% women, mean age 65) with baseline HbA1c levels ranging from 3.6–13.7%. The mean follow-up duration was 8.1 years and the mean number of cognitive assessments was 4.9.
A 1 mmol/mol increment in HbA1c was significantly associated with an increased rate of decline in global cognitive z scores, memory z scores and executive function z scores after adjustment for baseline age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, BMI, education, marital status, depressive symptoms, current smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, CHD, stroke, chronic lung disease and cancer.
Compared with participants with normoglycaemia, the multivariable-adjusted rate of global cognitive decline associated with prediabetes and diabetes was increased by −0.012 SD/year and −0.031 SD/year, respectively (p for trend <0.001). Similarly, memory, executive function and orientation z scores showed an increased rate of cognitive decline with diabetes.
Conclusions/interpretation
Significant longitudinal associations between HbA1c levels, diabetes status and long-term cognitive decline were observed in this study. Future studies are required to determine the effects of maintaining optimal glucose control on the rate of cognitive decline in people with diabetes.