Cognitive dysfunction and electroencephalogram alterations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive multisystem condition that while largely preventable and treatable, is associated with significant morbidity. Neurohormonal activation and systemic inflammation are considered the main mechanisms contributing to its systemic effects. This study aimed to investigate the electroencephalogram (EEG) alterations and cognitive dysfunction in COPD patients and to correlate these findings with the clinical parameters. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving fifty patients with COPD and fifty age and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical evaluation included assessment of dyspnea via the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, exacerbation history, spirometry, six-minute walk test (6MWT), body mass index (BMI), baseline oxygen saturation, neurological examination, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive assessment, and EEG recording. Results COPD patients had significantly lower oxygen saturation (92.5 ± 3.4 in patients vs. 96.5 ± 1.1 in controls with P = 0.001) and MMSE scores (27.4 ± 2.5 in patients vs. 29.6 ± 0.81 in controls with P = 0.001) compared to controls. EEG abnormalities were observed in 46% of COPD patients: 18% showed generalized slowing, 16% had background slowing, 8% had frontal slowing, while 4% had temporal slowing. MMSE scores were positively correlated with 6MWT distance ( P = 0.001), Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1) ( P = 0.002), and oxygen saturation ( P = 0.001), and negatively correlated with CAT ( P = 0.001), mMRC ( P = 0.001), and GOLD stage ( P = 0.004). Conclusions Cognitive impairment and EEG abnormalities are prevalent among COPD patients and correlate with disease severity. Routine EEG and cognitive assessment may aid in early detection of central nervous system involvement in COPD allowing early intervention which could improve disease management and potentially preserve cognitive function and quality of life.