Mild cognitive impairment and progression to dementia in people with diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: We aimed to quantify the relative risk of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia in people with and without diabetes, and with and without the MetS (MetS); and to identify potential modifiers of the risk of progression from MCI to dementia in people with diabetes or MetS. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycArticles and Web of Science from inception through to 20th March 2018. Where possible, the results from three or more studies were pooled in a meta-analysis, while other findings have been described narratively. RESULTS: We included 15 articles reporting 12 studies (6865 participants). The overall unadjusted pooled odds ratio for the progression of MCI to dementia in people with diabetes/MetS was 1.67 (95% CI 1.27–2.19); the pooled odds ratio for progression in diabetes + MCI was 1.53 (95% CI 1.20–1.97) and in people with MetS + MCI was 2.95 (95% CI 1.23–7.05). There was moderate heterogeneity in the included studies (I(2) < 60%). In diabetes, a longer duration of diabetes and the presence of retinopathy were associated with an increased risk of progression, while the use of statins and oral hypoglycaemic agents reduced the risk. Having multiple cardiovascular risk factors was a significant risk factor for progression from MCI to dementia in people with MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes and MetS were both associated with an increased incidence of dementia when co-existing with MCI. Intensive cardiovascular risk reduction and lifestyle changes for patients presenting with MCI and diabetes, prediabetes or MetS may be important in reducing incidence of dementia in this high risk population. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00127-018-1581-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.