title: Does social support affect development of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine cognitive functions and perceived social support (SS) among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the effects of SS on the development of cognitive dysfunction (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in 121 patients with DM presenting at the Endocrinology Clinic of Cumhuriyet University Health Services Application and Research Hospital, Sivas, Turkey between April and June 2014. Data were collected utilizing the "Patient Assessment Form", "Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE)" and "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)".
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score obtained for DM patients from the SMMSE was 21.55±5.7, with 65.3% found to have cognitive impairment. The total mean score of the participants for MSPSS was considered moderate (66.61±14.42). There was a significant positive correlation between cognitive function and SS (r=0.273, p=0.002). It was determined that individuals with CD had low levels of perceived SS, and that insufficient support from families and significant others contributed to the development of CD (p=0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, it was determined that  the cognitive function of individuals with DM was impaired and would improve as the perception of SS increased, and that perceived SS would affect the development of CD. Therefore, health professionals can contribute to the improvement of cognitive function of individuals with DM by facilitating the use of SS sources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases Nursing, School of Susehri Health High, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. E-mail. feride_taskin@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Feride T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabancıogullari
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aldemir
authors.forename: Azime K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kumsar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult