The association between diabetic retinopathy, cognitive impairment, and quality of life – a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a microangiopathy caused by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), is associated with significant visual disability leading to suboptimal quality of life. Retinal microvasculature changes can reflect similar changes in the grey matter and blood-brain barrier. Microvascular changes in the brain are associated with cognitive dysfunction. The present study aimed to find the association between Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Cognitive Impairment (CI) and its relationship with Quality of Life (QoL).

Methodology

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital among patients (aged 18 years and above) with pre-existing T2DM as per Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023 criteria. Patients with visual acuity less than 3/60, or education below 6th grade, or with comorbid mental or neurocognitive disorders illness were excluded from the study. DR grading was done using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) criteria. Cognitive functions and quality of life were measured using Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and World Health Organization – Quality of Life scale – brief version (WHO-QOL BREF). The primary outcome measures (cognitive impairment and quality of life) were compared between patients with DR (DR+) and patients without DR (DR-). A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in 48.5% (83 out of 171) of the sample. The DR+ group were predominantly male, significantly older, had comorbid immature cataract and hypertension than the DR- group. Also, the DR+ group had significantly reduced scores in all domains of MoCA and QoL. among patients with DR, those with severe and moderate NPDR had more cognitive impairment than mild NPDR. Age and duration of diabetes did not correlate with MoCA and QoL scores.

Conclusion

The presence of diabetic retinopathy is associated with cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life in this study population. The association is independent of the age of patient and the duration of diabetes mellitus.