Screening for cognitive impairment among hemodialysis patients in Brunei Darussalam

Background: Cognitive impairment is a notable complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), associated with adverse outcomes.Early detection is crucial for improving treatment adherence and informing risk reduction strategies.This study screens for risk factors and cognitive symptoms in hemodialysis patients in Brunei Darussalam.Methods: A cross-sectional screening survey was conducted using cluster sampling of adults aged ≥ 50 years who were receiving hemodialysis.Participants completed a structured questionnaire on dementia risk factors and symptoms, followed by the Mini-Cog assessment.Results: In a study of 206 patients with a median age of 62 years (42.7% male), significant risk factors for cognitive impairment included hypertension (83.9%), hypercholesterolemia (55.8%), and diabetes mellitus (51.0%).Cognitive symptoms were reported by 159 patients (77.2%), with misplacing items (45.1%), visuospatial difficulties (38.3%), and forgetfulness (35.0%) being the most common.Mini-Cog assessment revealed that 17 patients (8.3%) were likely to have cognitive impairment.Conclusions: A significant proportion of hemodialysis patients exhibited cognitive symptoms, with approximately one in twelve screening positive for likely cognitive impairment.The feasibility of conducting cognitive impairment screenings in this population underscores the importance of early identification and intervention for cognitive issues in hemodialysis patients.