The role of clinical characteristics of Lyme borreliosis in predicting cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background. Lyme disease is characterized by a wide polymorphism of clinical manifestations, including various lesions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Along with neurological disorders, diverse manifestations and signs of cognitive impairments are often found. Despite the high prevalence of cognitive disorders in Lyme borreliosis, data on their frequency and risk factors are contradictory. The examination of cognitive status is still not included in the standard clinical examination of this category of patients. The aim of the study is to identify predictors that may independently influence the development of cognitive dysfunction in patients with Lyme borreliosis. Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study of 69 patients (47 females, 22 males) diagnosed with Lyme borreliosis, aged between 23 and 77 (average of 49.90 ± 16.26) years, was carried out. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to evaluate cognitive function. To determine the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and its potential predictors, the participants were divided into two groups: patients without cognitive impairment (n = 30) and those with cognitive dysfunction (n = 39) based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. Results. It was found that risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment include: diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis at the age of 45.5 years and older (hazard ratio (HR) 5.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.82–14.27]; p = 0.001), presence of neuroborreliosis (HR 5.98; 95% CI [2.0–17.8]; р < 0.001), Lyme carditis (HR 8.7; 95% CI [1.04–73.06]; р = 0.021), hypertension (HR 7.19; 95% CI [2.32–22.28]; р < 0.001), anxiety disorders. Conclusions. The prospect for further research is to study and analyze the features of the correlation between cognitive and psycho-emotional disorders and the quality of life of patients with different forms and duration of Lyme borreliosis.