Cognitive function in individuals with and without painful and painless diabetic polyneuropathy—A cross‐sectional study in type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Introduction Previous studies suggest that cognitive impairment is more prevalent in individuals with painful and painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). However, the current evidence is not well described. This study investigated cognitive function in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the association to painful/painless DPN and clinical parameters. Methods This cross‐sectional, observational, case–control study included 58 participants with T1DM, sub‐grouped into 20 participants with T1DM and painful DPN, 19 participants with T1DM and painless DPN, 19 participants with T1DM without DPN, and 20 healthy controls were included. The groups were matched for sex and age. The participants performed Addenbrooke's examination III (ACE‐III), which assesses attention, memory, verbal fluency, language and visuospatial skills. Working memory was evaluated using an N‐back task. Cognitive scores were compared between the groups and correlated to age, diabetes duration, HbA1c and nerve conduction measurements. Results Compared to healthy controls, T1DM participants showed lower total ACE‐III (p = .028), memory (p = .013) and language scores (p = .028), together with longer reaction times in the N‐back task (p = .041). Subgroup analyses demonstrated lower memory scores in those with painless DPN compared with healthy controls (p = .013). No differences were observed between the three T1DM subgroups. Cognitive scores and clinical parameters were not associated. Conclusions This study supports the notion of cognitive alterations in T1DM and indicates that cognitive function is altered in T1DM regardless of underlying neuropathic complications. The memory domain appears altered in T1DM, particularly in those with painless DPN. Further studies are needed to verify the findings.

Optimizing examination time and diagnostic performance of the histamine‐induced axon‐reflex flare response in diabetes

“…The present study was conducted at Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, between August 2019 and February 2022. The cohort used for the study was derived from the “Methods of Early Detection and grading Of diabetic Neuropathy (MEDON)”‐cohort, which is described in detail elsewhere 10,13–17 . The participants with T1DM were divided into those with or without DPN.…”

“…The cohort used for the study was derived from the "Methods of Early Detection and grading Of diabetic Neuropathy (MEDON)"-cohort, which is described in detail elsewhere. 10,[13][14][15][16][17] The participants with T1DM were divided into those with or without DPN. The presence of DPN was defined as per the Toronto consensus for definite neuropathy.…”

“…The calculated max flare area size had a similar performance (Tables 3 and 4). 12 [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] 11 [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] 11 [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] 13…”

Characterization of the central nervous system in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Aspects of cognitive, structural, and functional brain alterations in type 1 diabetes

“…Paper I investigated several cognitive domains in T1DM groups with and without neuropathic complications. (81) The diabetes group with DPN showed a significantly lower memory score compared to healthy controls. This difference was not observed when comparing the three phenotyped diabetes groups.…”