Abstract
Patients with diabetes have an at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment in comparison with the general population. Cognitive dysfunction comprises impairments of executive function, memory, attention, and psychomotor efficiency.
The question of whether recurrent exposure to severe hypoglycaemia promotes long-term cognitive dysfunction is unresolved. The main risk factors for cognitive impairment in diabetes are considered to be chronological age, duration of diabetes, and coexistent microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Diabetes should be treated as a risk factor for cognitive impairment. Cognitive dysfunction is associated with poorer ability in diabetes self-care and decreased adherence to antidiabetic treatment.