Cognitive disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease in pre-dialysis period

Objective: to study the cognitive status of patients in the pre-dialysis period depending on the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the category of cardiovascular risk (CVR). Materials and Methods. We examined 98 patients with CKD in the pre-dialysis period (mean age 47.1±11.2 years). The patients were divided into three groups according to the criteria of CVR stratification. Group 1 consisted of 32 patients with a low or moderate CVR, and CKD stage C1 or C2; Group 2 included 34 patients with a high CVR and CKD stage C3a or C3b; Group 3 comprised 32 patients with a very high CVR and CKD stage C4. We used the SAGE test (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination) to evaluate cognitive functions. Results. Cognitive impairment (CI) was detected in 57% of the patients: 37.5% in Group 1, 44.1% in Group 2, and 90.5% in Group 3. Dementia was diagnosed in 19% of patients with CI. A correlation was found between the severity of CI, the degree of decrease in glomerular filtration rate, and the education level of CKD patients in the pre-dialysis period (p≤0.001). We established that the examined subjects with CKD were characterized by memory, constructive, spatial and logical thinking disorders. Conclusion. Chronic kidney disease is an independent risk factor for the development of CI. The latter progressed with both CKD stage and the patient’s CVR category, and was detected in 37.5% of patients with a low or moderate CVR, 44.1% of patients with a high CVR, and 90.5% of patients with a very high CVR.