Sex comparisons in the association of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes with cognitive function, depression, and quality of life: The Maastricht study

• Published in: Diabetic medicine 2023-07, Vol.40 (7), p.e15115-n/a
• Main Authors: Ritter, Rianneke, Sep, Simone J. S., Kallen, Carla J. H., Greevenbroek, Marleen M. J., Koster, Annemarie, Eussen, Simone J. P. M., Dagnelie, Pieter C., Boxtel, Martin, Schram, Miranda T., Köhler, Sebastian, Martens, Jordi A. J., Snobl, Lucia, Vos, Rimke C., Stehouwer, Coen D. A., Peters, Sanne A. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular diseases; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Female; Gender differences; Glucose metabolism; Humans; Male; Mental depression; mental health; Middle Aged; Prediabetic State - epidemiology; Quality of Life; Regression analysis; Sex differences; Women; women‐s health
• ISSN: 0742-3071; 1464-5491
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.15115

Aims There are sex differences in the excess risk of diabetes‐associated cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear whether these sex differences exist with regard to other complications like mental health aspects. Therefore, we investigated sex differences in the association of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) with cognitive function, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods In a population‐based cross‐sectional cohort study (n = 7639; age 40–75 years, 50% women, 25% T2D), we estimated sex‐specific associations, and differences therein, of prediabetes and T2D (reference: normal glucose metabolism) with measures of cognitive function, depression, and physical and mental QoL. Sex differences were analysed using multiple regression models with interaction terms. Results In general, T2D, but not prediabetes, was associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment, major depressive disorder, and poorer QoL. The odds ratio (OR) of cognitive impairment associated with T2D was 1.29 (95% CI: 0.96–1.72) for women and 1.39 (1.10–1.75) for men. The OR of major depressive disorder associated with T2D was 1.19 (0.69–2.04) for women and 1.68 (1.02–2.75) for men. The mean difference of the physical QoL score (ranging from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating the best possible QoL) associated with T2D was −2.09 (−2.92 to −1.25) for women and −1.81 (−2.48 to −1.13) for men. The mean difference of the mental QoL score associated with T2D was −0.90 (−1.79 to −0.02) for women and −0.52 (−1.23 to 0.20) for men. There was no clear pattern of sex differences in the associations of either prediabetes or T2D with measures of cognitive function, depression, or QoL. Conclusions In general, T2D was associated with worse cognitive function, depression, and poorer QoL. The strength of these associations was similar among women and men.