Potential risk factors for mild cognitive impairment among patients with type 2 diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia

Aims This study examined the association between hypoglycemia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and identified risk factors for MCI in patients with hypoglycemia. Methods In this retrospective study, 328 patients with T2DM were screened in 2019 and followed up in 2022. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The diagnosis of MCI was based on established criteria. Risk ratio (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) was calculated to estimate the risk of MCI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for MCI in those with hypoglycemia. Results Patients with hypoglycemia had lower cognitive performance 3 years later. The RR of MCI was 2.221 (95 % CI 1.269–3.885). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that low grip strength, existing diabetic retinopathy (DR), and multiple hypoglycemia episodes were associated with higher odds of MCI in patients with hypoglycemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.909 [95 % CI 0.859–0.963]), 3.078 [95 % CI 1.158–12.358], and 4.642 [95 % CI 1.284–16.776], respectively, all P < 0.05). Conclusions Hypoglycemia increased MCI risk among patients with T2DM. Low grip strength, DR, and multiple hypoglycemia episodes may be potential risk factors for hypoglycemia-associated MCI.