PATTERN OF COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN DIFFERENT SEVERITY OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is an important systemic effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The study aimed to investigate cognitive functioning in specific cognitive domains in COPD patients with different severity of disease.

Materials & Method: Thirty one COPD patients with FEV1≥ 50%, twenty nine COPD patients with FEV1<50% and thirty controls were matched for age, sex, education .Baseline cognitive functioning was compared between COPD patients with different severity of disease and controls using a detailed neuropsychological testing battery.

Statistical analysis: All three groups were compared by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for demographic and cognitive parameters. Pearson and Spearman rho correlation were done to assess relation between clinical, demographic characteristics and cognitive parameters.

Result: The group with COPD FEV1<50% scored significantly lower on Trial making B, copying landmark, memory , Stroop Colour Interference test (p<0.001) compared to the controls and COPD patients with FEV1≥50%.Further,FEV1 showed significant correlation with MMSE ,MOCA, Trail making B and copying landmark.

Conclusion: The decline in pulmonary function is associated with cognitive dysfunction and an impairment of cognition increases significantly with the advancement of the disease.