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Severe COPD raises risk of cognitive decline, inability to handle finances and medication
PRINCETON, NJ—Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) so severe it curtails their activities or forces them to use oxygen may be at risk for cognitive decline that impairs their ability to perform daily tasks, researchers found.
The average cognition scores of older adults with severe COPD were about a point lower on a 35-point scale (0.9 point lower, P=0.001) than adults without COPD, according to a study published in the July 15 issue of the _American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. _
“Our findings should raise awareness that adults with severe COPD are at greater risk for developing cognitive impairment, which may make managing their COPD more challenging, and will likely further worsen their general health and quality of life,” William W. Hung, MD, MPH, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote.
Dr. Hung and his colleagues noted that such cognitive declines can impair a person’s ability to performed everyday activities, particularly executive functions such as handling money and medication.
