Diabetes mellitus and cognitive performance in older women.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study sought to identify diabetes accurately in a study population of 3681 women age 75 and older and to determine the association of diabetes with cognitive performance.


METHODS
A previously validated test, the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Screening-Modified (TICSm) was given to assess cognitive status. A diabetes case identification database, medical record review and self-report were used to determine diabetes cases. 489 (13.3%) of the women in the study were classified with diabetes and 3192 without diabetes.


RESULTS
t-tests and linear regression analyses determined that diabetic women had a mean TICSm score 1.4 points lower (i.e. more impaired) than non-diabetic women. Using linear regression to adjust for age, education, and vascular disease, diabetic women showed a 1.1 lower score on the TICSm. Similar adjustments were made for potential confounding variables such as depression, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), high body weight, smoking, alcohol use and exercise and diabetics again showed a 1.0 lower score.


CONCLUSIONS
This study, which utilizes highly rigorous case identification methodology, provides further evidence that diabetes is associated with significantly worse cognitive performance in the elderly.
Crooks
Valerie C
VC
Department of Research and Evaluation, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, California 91188, USA. valerie.c.crooks@kp.org
Buckwalter
J Galen
JG
Petitti
Diana B
DB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires