Association of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes With Cognitive Function After Stroke: A STROKOG Collaboration Study

Stroke. 2020 Jun;51(6):1640-1646. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.028428. Epub 2020 May 14.

Abstract

Background and Purpose- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia, but the association between prediabetes and cognitive impairment is less clear, particularly in a setting of major cerebrovascular events. This article examines the impact of impaired fasting glucose and T2D on cognitive performance in a stroke population. Methods- Seven international observational studies from the STROKOG (Stroke and Cognition) consortium (n=1601; mean age, 66.0 years; 70% Asian, 26% white, and 2.6% African American) were included. Fasting glucose level (FGL) during hospitalization was used to define 3 groups, T2D (FGL ≥7.0 mmol/L), impaired fasting glucose (FGL 6.1-6.9 mmol/L), and normal (FGL <6.1 mmol/L), and a history of diabetes mellitus and the use of a diabetes mellitus medication were also used to support a diagnosis of T2D. Domain and global cognition Z scores were derived from standardized neuropsychological test scores. The cross-sectional association between glucose status and cognitive performance at 3 to 6 months poststroke was examined using linear mixed models, adjusting for age, sex, education, stroke type, ethnicity, and vascular risk factors. Results- Patients with T2D had significantly poorer performance in global cognition (SD, -0.59 [95% CI, -0.82 to -0.36]; P<0.001) and in all domains compared with patients with normal FGL. There was no significant difference between impaired fasting glucose patients and those with normal FGL in global cognition (SD, -0.10 [95% CI, -0.45 to 0.24]; P=0.55) or in any cognitive domain. Conclusions- Diabetes mellitus, but not prediabetes, is associated with poorer cognitive performance in patients 3 to 6 months after stroke.

Keywords: cognition; diabetes mellitus; prediabetic state; stroke.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Cognition*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Complications* / blood
  • Diabetes Complications* / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Complications* / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prediabetic State* / blood
  • Prediabetic State* / drug therapy
  • Prediabetic State* / physiopathology
  • Stroke* / blood
  • Stroke* / etiology
  • Stroke* / physiopathology
  • Stroke* / therapy

Substances

  • Blood Glucose