The TouchNeurology website has published an Insight article by Dr Sanjay Kalra and colleagues, outlining the links between dementia and type 2 diabetes, and identifying clinical strategies for the prevention of dementia in people with diabetes. TouchNeurology is an independent information resource supporting physicians, clinicians and Industry professionals, publishing free-to-access articles aimed at the neurology community.
In their article, Dr Kalra and his colleagues describe the results of several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, highlighting figures that show people with type 2 diabetes have a 60% increased risk of developing dementia. Cross-sectional studies indicate that women with diabetes are at particularly high risk of developing vascular dementia, while men and women with diabetes have similar risk levels for developing non-vascular dementia (49% and 53%, respectively). Longitudinal studies, meanwhile, show that people with type 2 diabetes develop dementia 1.7 years earlier than their non-diabetic counterparts.
With those figures in mind, Dr Kalra and colleagues suggest several strategies for preventing dementia in diabetes. These include optimising glycaemic control for people with diabetes, improved management of associated conditions such as hypertension and obesity, and recommendations for increased physical activity. Secondary prevention measures include screening for cognitive impairment in older people with diabetes, with regular monitoring for those experiencing cognitive impairment. They also suggest that carers should be supported to avoid physical and emotional fatigue, and that therapeutic regimens should be carefully chosen to facilitate adherence. Finally, Dr Kalra and colleagues call for increased awareness of diabetes dementia among healthcare professionals, policymakers and the general public.
https://touchneurology.com/insight/prevention-of-diabetes-dementia/
