Title: Diabetes & Dementia: A Health Study on the Association and Risk Factors in the United States 

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive decline is a condition associated with the loss of ability to perform usual daily activities, chores, and social engagements, and is a warning sign of dementia. Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk for dementia, but risk factors for individuals with diabetes and cognitive decline are unclear. In a 2014 statement issued by the World Dementia Council, diabetes was classified as one of the leading preventable risk factors related to cognitive decline and dementia. The number of people with dementia is projected to keep rising. However, approximately 40% of all dementia cases can theoretically be prevented or at least delayed if certain risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, depression, and physical inactivity are eliminated. Cognitive decline among people with diabetes is a significant public health problem. If the prevalence of diabetes continues to increase, the projected number of people with cognitive decline is likely to increase as well, resulting in a much greater number of people with dementia than predicted in the coming years.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between selected risk factors and cognitive decline in individuals with diabetes.

METHODS: The study analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included 1,913 participants. We determined the association between various risk factors such as gender, BMI, physical activity, race/ethnicity, marital status, satisfaction with life, inability to afford a doctor and depressive disorder diagnosis, and the odds of cognitive decline. Odds ratios from a multivariable logistic regression were used to perform this analysis, and statistical significance was established using a 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: Physical activity, (OR = 0.696, 95% CI = 0.515 – 0.940, P = 0.018), satisfaction with life, (OR = 0.483, 95% CI = 0.329 – 0.710, P < .001), and being Black, (OR = 0.495, 95% CI = 0.325 – 0.765, P = 0.002) were each associated with decreased odds of cognitive decline. Inability to afford to see a doctor, (OR = 2.473, 95% CI = 1.568 – 3.786, P < .001), being diagnosed with a depressive disorder, (OR = 1.588, 95% CI = 1.163 – 2.170, P = .001), and not being married (OR = 2.066, 95% CI = 1.194 – 3.575, P = 0.010) were associated with increased odds of cognitive decline.

DISCUSSION: The results of this study show a potential link between diabetes and cognitive decline. The positive association implies the need to increase factors such as physical activity and social engagement in people with diabetes. Such activity may lead to the reduction of cognitive decline, thus reducing the potential number of people with dementia. Knowledge of these risk or protective factors and their significance helps at-risk populations make informed decisions that may benefit their health and lives immensely. The result of this study calls for public health practitioners to be aware of these risk factors and, therefore, develop interventions for cognitive decline in subjects with diabetes.

Chair: Dr. Ike Okosun