Association of Cognitive Function, Hand Grip Strength, Dexterity and Functional Abilities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – A Cross Sectional Study

Background “Diabetes mellitus” “(DM)” is the most prevalent “endocrine disorder” globally, marked by metabolic irregularities that present a considerable risk to physical, social, and emotional growth, leading to many health complications. “Type 2 diabetes mellitus” is the predominant form representing 90% of all cases. “Diabetes” is associated with cognitive impairment which includes decline in attention, problem solving, reasoning and other cognitive functions. “Diabetes mellitus” affect the hand functions negatively. It can impair the hand functions like grip strength, dexterity and hand manipulation skills and consequently influence patient’s hand functional performance and quality of life.  Purpose To determine the relation of cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity and functional abilities in “type 2 diabetes mellitus”.  Materials and Method Fouty three subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus satisfying inclusion criteria were selected. Cognitive function, hand grip strength, hand dexterity and functional abilities of hand were assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment, handheld dynamometer, nine hole peg and Duruoz Hand Index respectively  Results and Discussion “Regression analysis” was done and found a “significant linear relation” of cognitive function with absolute and relative hand grip strength on dominant hand (p˂ .05) and inconsistent linear relation on non dominant hand (p ˃.05), significant inverse linear relation of cognitive function with dexterity of both hands and functional abilities of hand (p˂.05). Hyperglycemia mediated endothelial dysfunction leads to microvascular disease and atherosclerosis in “type 2 diabetes mellitus” which contributes to accelerated cortical and subcortical atrophy particularly) the frontal lobe, cerebellum and basal ganglia. Atrophy and changes in functionality of the somatosensory motor cortices may affect the skilled task execution in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Disturbances in insulin level may contribute to the accumulation of amyloid β in neural systems, potentially contributing to changes in cognitive and hand functions.  Conclusion There is an association of cognitive function, “hand grip strength”, dexterity and “functional abilities of hand” in “type 2 diabetes mellitus”.