Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and Associated Factors in Diabetic Patients Attending a Rural Health Facility in Goa, India

Introduction: Diabetes prevalence is rising globally, projected to reach 643 million by 2030, with India's rate surpassing the global average. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common, yet underdiagnosed complication. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2024 at the Rural Health and Training Center. A total of 200 diabetic patients were selected for the study by simple random sampling method. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and identify associated factors among the participants. Results: The study revealed 78(39%) of participants had mild cognitive impairment, 15(7.5%) had mild dementia, and 107(53.5%) exhibited normal cognition. A majority (65.5%) were aged 50 years or older. Males 133(66.5%) outnumbered females 67(33.5%). Most patients (81%) had lived with diabetes for less than a decade. Significant associations were found between cognitive impairment and factors like age, age at diagnosis, and diabetes duration. Conclusion: Nearly half of the participants showed cognitive impairment, predominantly among older individuals. Regular cognitive screening and tailored care are crucial for diabetic patients.