Factors associated with cognitive function of patients with chronic kidney disease

Introduction: Cognitive performance can be compromised in individuals affected by debilitating diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic, economic and clinical variables with the cognitive level of kidney patients attending the University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhão. Method: It is a cross-sectional study with patients over age 20 years were undergoing dialysis treatment for at least 6 months. We used a questionnaire designed by the authors to collect demographic, economic and clinical characteristics. For cognitive evaluation we used the Mini-Mental State Examination. The association between variables was assessed through univariate and multivariate analyzes. Results: Men predominated (52.4%), married (59%), from the interior of Maranhão (67.2%), aged between 40-60 years (37.7%) who attended school for up to four years (34.4%) and had occupation that required greater physical burden (49.1%). In cognitive assessment, 76.9% had some degree of cognitive decline, as hemodialysis patients are at increased risk for cognitive deficits. There was an association between cognitive impairment and schooling less than 4 years (p=<0.001), age group 40-60 (p=0.035) variables influential in scores of Mini Mental and association have 3-4 children (p=0.043). Conclusion: A significant number of patients with CKD showed evidences of cognitive deficit. Older age, low education, more children are associated with this decline