Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity: A systematic comparison of their impact on cognition.
Vascular risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity, have been associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction, particularly in the elderly. The aim of this systematic review was to compare these risk factors with regard to the nature and magnitude of the associated cognitive decrements. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that assessed cognitive functioning in non-demented persons in relation to diabetes/impaired glucose metabolism (k = 36), hypertension (k = 24), dyslipidemia (k = 7) and obesity (k = 6) and that adjusted or matched for age, gender and education were included. When possible, effect sizes (Cohen's d) were computed per cognitive domain. Diabetes and hypertension were clearly associated with cognitive decrements; the results for obesity and dyslipidemia were less consistent. Effect sizes were moderate (median approximately -0.3) for all risk factors. Decline was found in all cognitive domains, although the effects on cognitive speed, mental flexibility and memory were most consistent. Methodological aspects of included studies and implications of these findings are discussed.
van den Berg
Esther
E
Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.vandenberg-6@umcutrecht.nl
Kloppenborg
Raoul P
RP
Kessels
Roy P C
RP
Kappelle
L Jaap
LJ
Biessels
Geert Jan
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D005947:Glucose