Impact of diabetes on cognitive function among older Latinos: a population-based cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Type 2 diabetes, which is highly prevalent in older Mexican Americans, may influence cognitive functioning. We examined the association of diabetes with decline in global cognitive function and memory function over a 2-year period.


METHODS
Study subjects were derived from an existing cohort of Latinos aged 60 and over in the SALSA project (n=1,789). Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression and a generalized estimating equation (GEE).


RESULTS
Logistic regression analysis indicated that baseline diabetes was a significant predictor of major cognitive impairment in Modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MSE) (OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.21, 2.34) and word-list test (OR=1.31, 95% CI=0.99, 1.75). GEE analysis showed that there was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects in change of cognitive scores over 2 years (3MSE, mean=-0.58, 95% CI=-1.48, 0.32; word-list test, mean=-0.10, 95% CI=-0.32, 0.11).


CONCLUSIONS
More diabetic complications were associated with major cognitive decline among diabetic subjects. Research on long-term impact of treatment for type 2 diabetes is warranted.
Wu
Jasmanda H
JH
University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 611 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA.
Haan
Mary N
MN
Liang
Jersey
J
Ghosh
Debashis
D
Gonzalez
Hector M
HM
Herman
William H
WH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology