The relationship between diabetes and the dementia risk: a meta-analysis

Background The link between diabetes and dementia risk is not well understood. This study evaluates the factors linking diabetes to dementia onset, providing guidance for preventing dementia in diabetic patients. Methods This analysis utilized databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to review literature from January 31, 2012, to March 5, 2023. Articles were rigorously assessed using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Data analysis was performed with STATA 15.0. Results The study analyzed 15 articles, covering 10,103,868 patients, with 8,821,516 diagnosed with diabetes. The meta-analysis reveals a substantial association between diabetes and an increased risk of dementia [RR: 1.59, 95%CI (1.40-1.80), P < 0.01, I-2=96.4%]. A diabetes duration of less than five years is linked to a higher dementia risk [RR: 1.29, 95%CI (1.20-1.39), P < 0.01, I-2=92.6%]. Additionally, hypoglycemia significantly raises dementia risk [RR: 1.56, 95%CI (1.13-2.16), P < 0.01, I-2=51.5%]. Analyses of blood sugar control, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting blood sugar indicated no significant effects on the onset of dementia. Conclusion Diabetes notably increases dementia risk, particularly where diabetes duration is under five years or hypoglycemia is present. Registration The research protocol was registered with PROSPERO and assigned the registration number CRD42023394942.