Prevalence and Correlation of Cognitive Decline and Physical Frailty in Adults with Diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with serious complications that adversely affect patients’ quality of life, including their physical, social, and psychological well-being. Persistent hyperglycemia initiates degenerative processes that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism, neuronal damage, dysregulation of inflammatory mediators within the brain, and subsequent cognitive decline. Such changes may also influence physical functioning, further compromising independence and daily activities. Objective: To determine the association between cognitive impairment and physical functioning in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 244 diabetic patients aged 35 years and above in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Patients with clinically diagnosed T1DM or T2DM, aged 35 years, and a history of diabetes of at least 5 years were included in the study. Patients with gestational diabetes, a history of mental disability, the presence of traumatic head injury, a stroke, life-threatening illnesses, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other severe neuropsychological diseases were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including demographic variables such as age, gender, educational status, and marital status. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, while physical performance was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery. Results: The study demonstrates a high prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and reduced physical performance among diabetic patients. This demonstrated a strong positive correlation between Mini-Mental State Examination scores and Short Physical Performance Battery scores, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.75. This association was highly significant (p<0.001), indicating that patients with better cognitive function tend to exhibit superior physical performance and functional mobility outcomes. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant positive association between cognitive function and physical performance in individuals with diabetes mellitus, highlighting the need for integrated management strategies addressing both domains.