Role of cognitive function in managing people with diabetes.

Abstract

The role of cognition and the impact of cognitive impairment in sustaining self-care in people with diabetes are both under recognised and underappreciated. This chapter begins by describing and defining cognition function, then addresses the nature of dementia and the associations between diabetes and dementia. It presents several case studies to demonstrate the application of the new knowledge of theory and principles into clinical practice. Assessing cognitive function using the standardized tests provides an indication of the severity and extent of the individual's cognitive function. Cognitive impairment is diagnosed when an individual's performance, on one of the domains, is significantly below their premorbid level of function. Suboptimal self-care in people with diabetes and cognitive impairment or dementia increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes, with higher frequencies of hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia, and diabetes-related complications. Type 2 diabetes also directly affects neurotransmitter metabolism, which can contribute to Alzheimer's dementia.