title: Perceived cognitive deficits are associated with diabetes self-management in a multiethnic sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with diabetes have almost twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia as do those without diabetes, and about half of older adults with diabetes will become functionally disabled or cognitively impaired. But diabetes requires complex self-management: patients must learn about the implications of their disease; manage their diets, physical activity, and medication; and monitor their blood glucose. Difficulties with cognition can hinder these activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of cognitive ability in a multiethnic sample of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). One hundred twenty participants completed surveys assessing perceived memory, executive function, diabetes self-management, and quality of life. Scores on the surveys were examined along with hemoglobin A1C levels and demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scores for executive function were positively associated with self-reports of dietary adherence and blood glucose monitoring. Perceived memory ability was a significant predictor of quality of life, and executive function was a significant predictor of A1C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' perceptions of their cognitive difficulties may assist health care providers in detection of patients' deficiencies in performing diabetes self-management tasks. The relationships between cognitive difficulties and self-management found in this descriptive study suggest that research on the processes leading to cognitive changes in T2DM is needed, as are studies on how those processes affect diabetes self-management.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas, Austin School of Nursing, 1710 Red River, Austin, TX 78701 USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cuevas
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas, Austin School of Nursing, 1710 Red River, Austin, TX 78701 USA.
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stuifbergen
keywords: Cognitive function; Executive function; Quality of life; Self-management; Type 2 diabetes