Long‐Term Glycemic Exposure, Control Status and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Authors' conclusion
Elevated cumFBG, especially in an increasing pattern, influenced cognition in older adults and sustained glycemic control appeared to mitigate these adverse impacts.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults, Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project
- Participants
- 26,108 adults
- Exposure
- 10-year cumulative fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥1260 vs <900 mg/dL × year
- Outcome
- Global and domain-specific cognition (MMSE) and cognitive impairment (education-specific cutoffs)
Methodological detailsgroup-based trajectory modelling, repeated FBG measurements
- Group-based trajectory modelling
- Repeated FBG measurements
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
cumFBG ≥ 1260 mg/dL × year vs cumFBG < 900 mg/dL × yearOdds ratio (95% CI)
Cognitive impairment; 3% increased risk
1.030(1.010–1.050)
- 0.091-point lower
- difference in z-standardized global cognitive score −0.091 points (95% CI −0.142 to −0.040)
- CumFBG nonlinearly associated with global cognition and cognitive impairment
- both P for nonlinearity < 0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cognitive impairment with increasing FBG trajectory, among cumulative fasting blood glucose (cumFBG) ≥ 1260 mg/dL × year
| OR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Increasing trajectory21.2% increased risk | 1.212 (1.122–1.310) | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
Domain-specific cognition
- Attention appeared more susceptible, with declines emerging when cumFBG ≥ 900 mg/dL × year
Glycemic variability
- Higher variability associated with worse cognition
Glycemic control status in diabetes
- Only diabetic participants with consistent control had cognition comparable to those without diabetes
Original publication
Long‐Term Glycemic Exposure, Control Status and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 11 May 2026. doi:10.
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