Risk factors of cognitive dysfunction among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common comorbidities related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with ∼70% of patients developing such condition. Besides, cognitive dysfunction has been established to be a potential predictor of mortality and morbidity.
Aim
This study was conducted to assess the possible causes of cognitive dysfunction among patients with COPD.
Patients and methods
Patients with COPD aged more than 40 years were included in the current study. Patients were further assorted into two groups based on the assessment of cognition state using Mini Mental State Examination: patients who had COPD without cognitive dysfunction (control group) and patients who had COPD with cognitive dysfunction (case group).
Results
A total of 120 participants were included in the study. Of them, 60 patients experienced COPD without cognitive dysfunction (control group) whereas 60 patients experienced COPD with cognitive dysfunction (case group). There was a statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the education level (P=0.038), intelligence quotient levels (P=0.004), duration of symptoms (P=0.042), and Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (MCIRS) (P=0.001). The results of regression model showed that patient’s age (P=0.01), MCIRS (P=0.041), duration of symptoms (P=0.03), and education state (P=0.029) were statically significant predictors of Mini Mental State Examination score.
Conclusion
The findings of our investigation increase the awareness that despite the controlled COPD, elderly obese patients with high MCIRS score and long duration of symptoms were more susceptible to develop cognitive dysfunction.