Cognitive Impairment Detected Using the Mini-Cog Screening Tool Among Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Study from South India

Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. Evidence from India on cognitive impairment in this population remains limited; hence, this study assessed cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cog screening tool among older adults with T2DM. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 participants aged ≥60 years with T2DM were enrolled at a tertiary care centre in Chennai from February to May 2024. Cognitive status was screened using the Mini-Cog tool. ‘Scores of 0–2’ indicated a positive screen for cognitive impairment, whereas ‘scores of 3–5’ indicated a negative screen for cognitive impairment. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical information was collected. Results: Among the 204 older adults with T2DM screened using the Mini-Cog, 20.6% screened positive for cognitive impairment. Among those who screened positive, the proportion of women was significantly higher than that of men (61.9% vs. 38.1%, P = .04). The mean BMI was significantly higher among women than men (28.7 ± 5.3 vs. 26.7 ± 3.9 kg/m², P = .003). The combined presence of hypertension and dyslipidemia was significantly higher among screened positive participants compared to screened negative participants (61.9% vs. 38.3%, P = .005). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that HbA1c > 9% (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.01–4.98); P = .04] and the presence of hypertension and dyslipidemia [OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.09–4.13); P = .02] were significantly associated with those who screened positive for cognitive impairment. Conclusion: The study findings highlighted that a significant proportion of women with T2DM screened positive for cognitive impairment as assessed by the Mini-Cog tool. Poor glycemic control and the presence of comorbid conditions such as hypertension and dyslipidemia were independently associated with those who screened positive for cognitive impairment.