COGNITIVE DISORDERS AND DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2 IN CONGO

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus type 2, and cognitive impairment, is two diseases occurring most often in the elderly. The impact of diabetes, on the onset of cognitive impairment, is increasingly documented. The aim of our study was to assess cognitive functions in Congolese with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients and methods: This is a case control study conducted from January to June 2015 involving 100 diabetic patients and 100 non-diabetic subjects. This study took place in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. We used preferentially the Grober and Bruschke test to assess cognitive function. Results: The frequency of cognitive disorders in diabetic patients was 57%. The mean age of diabetic patients with cognitive impairment was 56.3 years. The sex ratio of patients with cognitive impairment was 0.6 (M/F). Risk factors influencing the onset of cognitive impairment in diabetes in our study were age >= 60 years, hypertension, duration of diabetes more than 5 years, low socio-cultural level, HyperLDL. Age >= 60 years and hypertension were independent factors for developing cognitive impairment. We noted a 12.3% frequency of Alzheimer's disease; 15.7% of MCI; 35.1 dysexecutive evocation amnesia; 12.3% impairment of the dysexecutive encoding, 24.1% of attentional disorder and 3.5% in frontal cortical dementia. Encoding impairment was strongly associated to diabetes. Cognitive disorders have influenced the quality of life of diabetic patients only in univariate analysis. Conclusion: The cognitive disorders were found in diabetic patients. They are common from the age of 60. In diabetic patients blood sugar control has not demonstrated a protective effect.