An international team of researchers published an article stating that people with type 2 diabetes had worse cognitive performance three to six months after a stroke compared to people without diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus second type increases the risk of stroke, and now we have found that it is also associated with cognitive impairment and in the future may increase the risk of dementia. That is why the control of diabetes is another important goal in the prevention of dementia, the authors write.
Scientists believe that special attention should be paid to the early treatment of prediabetes in order to delay or prevent the progression of type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is an intermediate condition in which the pancreas produces insulin, but in smaller quantities.
Previous studies have shown that patients with a stroke that occurred in the presence of type 2 diabetes had worse cognitive functions compared to patients with a stroke without diabetes.
In a new study, specialists wanted to know whether patients with prediabetes have the same chance of cognitive decline in case of stroke. This is important because prediabetes is very common, and people can have this diagnosis for several years before it begins to progress to type 2 diabetes.
Researchers analyzed data 1601 stroke patient with an average age of 66 years. Nearly all participants had thrombotic strokes, and various cognitive functions were evaluated between three and six months after the stroke.
An analysis of fasting blood sugar levels was used to determine type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes. These data revealed that people with type 2 diabetes show significantly lower results in various areas of cognitive functions, including memory, attention, information processing speed, language, etc.
Patients with prediabetes had similar results. These comparisons remained unchanged after researchers adjusted additional factors, including type of stroke, ethnicity, blood pressure, bad habits, and participants’ body mass index.
This study shows how important it is for attending physicians to pay attention to the cognitive functions of stroke patients with diabetes. This is crucial because people with diabetes need complex treatments that require attention. A diabetic should make injections on time, drink medications, and constantly monitor blood sugar levels, so impaired cognitive function can adversely affect treatment. – concluded the scientists.
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