PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Meo, Sultan A.
AU  - Alotaibi, Metib
AU  - Shaikh, Narmeen
AU  - AlKhalifah, Reem
TI  - Cognitive functions among school-going children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2024.45.11.20240509
DP  - 2024 Nov 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1253--1259
VI  - 45
IP  - 11
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/11/1253.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/11/1253.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2024 Nov 01; 45
AB  - Objectives: To investigate the cognitive performance of Saudi children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to matched control groups.Methods: A total of 64 participants (32 T1DM patients and 32 control), matched with age, gender, ethnicity, education, and body mass index were recruited. Cognitive functions were investigated using a highly reliable and valid “Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery”. The attention switching task (AST) and choice reaction time (CRT) test were carried out to evaluate the cognitive functions.Results: The cognitive test parameters AST mean correct latency, AST mean correct latency (congruent), AST mean correct latency (incongruent), and CRT mean correct latency were significantly delayed in the T1DM group compared to their control group (p<0.0001). Moreover, the control group did significantly better on the cognitive test parameters AST and CRT than the T1DM children and adolescents with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) ≥8% group (p<0.01).Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a delay in cognitive performance among children and adolescents with T1DM. Importantly, elevated HbA1C levels and duration of disease were associated with reduced cognitive functions. The present study findings highlight the importance of stringent glycemic management in children and adolescents with T1DM. The findings can support physicians and policymakers not only to prevent microvascular complications but also to mitigate potential cognitive deficits among children and adolescents with T1DM.