Cognitive Functions and Intelligence Quotient in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome through the Window of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose: To evaluate the cognitive functions and intelligence quotient (IQ) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) by also considering Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted from January to March 2020. Participants in this study are from a tertiary care hospital. Patients admitted to the outpatient clinic with health check-up, or follow-up of DM were included in the study. A total of 80 patients (44 patients with MetS and 36 patients without MetS), 18-75 years old, were recruited to the study consecutively. Clinical and laboratory parameters, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Kent E-G-Y scores of patients were measured. Results: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglycerides levels were higher, whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and ferritin levels were lower in patients with MetS. MMSE score was lower in participants with MetS than without MetS, whereas Kent E-G-Y score was similar in both groups. Depending on whether all patients have DM and/or MetS, subgroup analyzes were performed and evaluated. Patients with diabetes had lower IQ scores compared to the other subgroups. Conclusion: MetS reduces cognitive functions, whereas it has been shown that this generally does not have any effect on IQ. However, even though DM presence has been shown to be a worsening factor on intelligence in MetS, further studies are needed.