An analysis of cognitive functioning of children and youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in the context of glycemic control

M. Stanisławska-Kubiak, E. Mojs, R.W. Wójciak, B. Piasecki, M. Matecka, J. Sokalski, P. Kopczyński, P. Fichna

Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. bpiasecki@ump.edu.pl

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• Psychology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cognitive functioning of children and youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 68 children with type 1 diabetes, aged 6-17 years, divided into 3 groups according to the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c): group 1: HbA1c ≤ 6.0-7.5%; group 2: HbA1c 7.6-8.5%; group 3: HbA1c over 8.6%. Wechsler’s intelligence scale (WISC-R), the Trail of 10 words and Brickenkamp’s and Zillmer’s d2 Test of Attention were used to assess cognitive functioning.

RESULTS: The research demonstrated a significant influence of low, medium or high glycaemic control on lowering the general level of functioning in verbal intelligence, and in WISC-R subtests: information, vocabulary, comprehension, number sequencing and block design.

CONCLUSIONS: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus can experience difficulties in cognitive functioning, as a consequence of high HbA1c. Additional research, involving a larger group of patients and a wider age range when the disease was diagnosed, will enable further findings on the occurrence of cognitive impairment in T1DM.

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