Diabetes and elevated glycosylated haemoglobin: Episodic memory and utilisation of cognitive support

Associations between diabetes and episodic memory performance were examined under varying levels of cognitive support at encoding and retrieval in a population-based sample of persons 35-85 years old. Participants were divided into diagnostic groups: (1) persons with diabetes (n=125), (2) persons without diabetes diagnosis but with elevated levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c; n=151), and (3) persons without diabetes or elevated HbA1c (n=2489). Among participants 65 years of age and younger, Group 1 performed at significantly lower levels than Groups 2 and 3. Among participants 70 years of age or older, Group 2 performed at the lowest level. The results are discussed in relation to varying underdiagnosis of diabetes across age.