Association between cognitive function and asthma in adults

Abstract

Background: Cognitive deficits are associated with asthma globally; however, the association between cognitive function and asthma has not been fully elucidated.

Objective: To assess the relationship between asthma and cognitive function.

Methods: A total of 202 patients with asthma aged older than 18 years were analyzed retrospectively from August 2019 to February 2020. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. We compared the associations of clinical parameters with cognitive function (MoCA, ≥23 vs <23) and lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], ≥70% vs <70%).

Results: Of the total participants, 89 (44.1%) indicated cognitive impairment, of whom 23.1% were aged less than 65 years and 72.9% were aged 65 years or older. MoCA scores were significantly different according to age (24.91 ± 3.89 for ages <65 years vs 19.11 ± 5.11 for ages ≥65 years, P < .001) and lung function (23.29 ± 5.17 for FEV1 ≥70% vs 21.23 ± 5.21 for FEV1 <70%, P = .006), but not according to asthma control (22.35 ± 5.38 for nonsevere asthma vs 22.88 ± 4.91 for severe asthma, P = .55). Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014-1.13; P = .01), educational status (OR, 6.068; CI, 2.175-16.927; P = .001), and asthma duration (OR, 1.007; CI, 1.001-1.013; P = .02) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment.

Conclusion: Cognitive impairment was largely observed in adults (44.1%) with asthma and was more prevalent in older adults than in younger adults. Longer asthma duration and lower lung function were more associated with cognitive dysfunction.