Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Associated Patterns of Memory Decline

Abstract

The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cognitive functioning was analyzed in a study with 50 aging patients. A complex pattern of interactions was identified between emotional and cognitive functioning and chronic respiratory disease when the effects of age, sex, type and severity of disease were controlled. These patients did not show any global and diffuse cognitive impairment. Only a portion of COPD patients (about 30%) evidenced memory impairment which was confined to immediate memory. Memory impairment found in these patients did not appear to be associated with those changes present in the aging process but was mainly related to those specific clinical and instrumental parameters which are considered valid indicators of respiratory efficiency. Two types of cognitive and emotional problems were identified. A progressive stage-dependent set of characteristics was associated with the course of the disease and a fluctuating, probably reversible state-dependent set of characteristics was associated with the temporary condition of the patients during the period of examination. Patients who had received more recent medical treatment or who were under protection of vaccination for influenza showed a better cognitive and emotional efficiency.

Cognitive function in COPD

“…Given that over 50% of hospitalised patients with COPD have coexistent vascular disease [60], it is likely that this will influence cognitive function. However, the pattern of cognitive dysfunction in COPD has been shown to be different to that found in multiinfarct dementia [18], and memory has been shown to be worse in subjects with chronic cerebrovascular disease than in those with COPD [61]. Therefore, it is unlikely that cognitive dysfunction in COPD is due to vascular comorbidity alone.…”

Psychological characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review

“…Several studies found impairments in memory functions [43,44,48,49,54,56,59] and in higher cognitive functions [46,52,59,60]. The findings of Grant et al [47] suggested that the degree of hypoxemia contributed to test performance impairment.…”

Association of Pulmonary Function with Cognitive Performance in Early, Middle and Late Adulthood

“…Physical activity has been associated with increased pulmonary capacity and has hence been hypothesised to protect against cognitive impairment and decline via various physiological mechanisms [13][14][15][16][17]. The disease factors thought to influence cognitive function via pulmonary function include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [18][19][20][21], and sleep disorders [22,23].…”