title: Cognitive function may be a predictor of retinopathy progression in patients with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes, such as retinopathy and nephropathy, progress over time and may be associated with cognitive decline. In this article, we aim to gain further insight into the association between cognitive function and retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this observational 8-year prospective study of 498 outpatients, demographic and clinical variables were monitored, along with retinopathy, depression, anxiety, and cognitive function. Baseline fundus photographs were available in 477 patients, 240 with no retinopathy, 110 with mild retinopathy, and 127 with moderate/more severe retinopathy. Of the first 2 groups, 279 patients were reevaluated after 8 years, of whom 181 still had no/mild retinopathy and 98 had progressed to more severe stages. On multivariate analysis, retinopathy progression was associated with being insulin-treated (p = 0.036), and worse cognitive function (p = 0.025) at baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive function may be an independent predictor of retinopathy progression.
authors.affiliation:  Laboratory of Clinical Pedagogy, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trento
authors.affiliation:  Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charrier
authors.affiliation:  Laboratory of Clinical Pedagogy, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salassa
authors.affiliation:  Laboratory of Clinical Pedagogy, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merlo
authors.affiliation:  Laboratory of Clinical Pedagogy, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Passera
authors.affiliation:  Center of Diabetic Retinopathy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Anatolie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baltatescu
authors.affiliation:  Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.affiliation:  Center of Diabetic Retinopathy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult