Quality-of-Life Study in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a tendency for an increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among middle-aged patients. It seems relevant to determine the quality of life in patients with MS and cognitive impairment (CI) in this age group. Aim of the study. Studying the quality of life in patients with MS and CI. Material and methods. In total, 208 people were examined. Out of a total number, 178 patients were divided into 2 groups: some were diagnosed with MS and CI, and some patients had MS but no cognitive deficit. The comparison group consisted of 30 healthy individuals of comparable age. All patients underwent neuropsychological testing. The method of cognitive evoked potential (P300) with the use of EMG/VP Nicolet Viking Select was chosen to quantitatively assess cognitive functions of the patients. Quality of life was assessed by the use of SF 36. Results and discussion. In the group with MS and CI, compared with patients who have MS but no cognitive disorders, the indicators of general health were lower (52.30±13.90 and 58.22±10.96 points, respectively, p<0.05), physical functioning (69.23±19.79 and 77.13±15.46 points, respectively, p<0.05), emotional role functioning (42.17±21.79 and 56.93±19.84 points, respectively, p<0.05), self-assessment of mental state (53.68±11.84 and 58.39±12.4 points, respectively, p<0.05). In patients with MS and cognitive disorders, a strong association was found between the results of the MMSE test (r=0.39; p=0.015), the Wechsler memory test score (r=0.29; p=0.014), the FAB test score (r=0.43; p=0.018), and physical functioning scores. Mental health scores were associated with the results of the Wexler test (r=0.27; p=0.014). In the group with MS and CI, there was a positive correlation between the amplitude of P300 and indicators of physical functioning (r=0.40; p=0.016). Findings. In the group of patients with MS and CI, compared with patients without cognitive disorders, there is a decrease in the quality of life, especially in indicators of physical functioning. The quality-of-life parameters of patients with MS are associated with cognitive functions determined both by neuropsychological testing and by P300.