Memory, attention and fluency deficits in COPD may be a specific form of cognitive impairment

There is increasing evidence demonstrating an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cognitive impairment. We present a narrative review of published studies on the subject and a cross-sectional study investigating domain-specific cognitive impairment in people with COPD compared to people with known Alzheimer's dementia, and controls without known COPD or cognitive impairment. The aim of the study was to compare prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairment between the three groups using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE)-III tool. A total of 89 participants were recruited (44 with COPD, 17 with Alzheimer's and 28 controls). Patients with COPD had significantly lower total ACE-III scores than controls (p
People with COPD are more likely than controls to have cognitive impairment. When compared to people with known Alzheimer's disease, the pattern of impairment and cognitive domains affected are significantly different. http://bit.ly/2VPFxjh