Blood sugar control lowers mortality risk among elderly diabetes patients with impaired cognition: Study
Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment are prevalent conditions among older adults, posing significant challenges for healthcare providers. Managing diabetes and maintaining optimal HbA1c levels are essential for preventing complications, but the impact on mortality in individuals with cognitive impairment is not well understood. A recent retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the association between HbA1c levels within the recommended target range and mortality risk in this population.
This study was published in the journal Diabetes Care by Sugimoto T. and colleagues. To investigate the relationship between HbA1c levels within the target range and mortality risk in older adults with cognitive impairment, both with and without type 2 diabetes. The retrospective cohort study included 1,528 individuals without diabetes and 468 patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥65 years visiting a memory clinic.
Patients with diabetes were categorized into three groups based on their HbA1c levels relative to the recommended target range. The impact of diabetes and HbA1c levels on mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. The key findings of the study were:
• Over a median follow-up period of 3.8 years, 353 patients (17.7%) died.
• Patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels above the target range had a 70% higher risk of mortality compared to those without diabetes.
• Similarly, patients with diabetes and HbA1c levels below the target range had more than twice the risk of mortality.
• However, individuals with diabetes and HbA1c levels within the target range did not exhibit a higher risk of mortality compared to those without diabetes.
The study highlights the importance of maintaining HbA1c levels within the recommended target range for older adults with cognitive impairment and type 2 diabetes. Patients with HbA1c levels within the target range did not show an increased risk of mortality, providing empirical support for current guidelines.
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