The relationship between metabolic syndrome and dementia in patients who have undergone COVID-19

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the cognitive functions and dementia risks of participants with and without metabolic syndrome who have had Covid 19, by mini-mental state examination scores, to provide adequate and effective interventions following the guidelines in individuals at risk of dementia, and to provide necessary interventions following the guidelines in individuals with metabolic syndrome and at risk of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 375 participants aged 18 and over who applied to the Rize Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Education and Research Hospital Covid-19 Follow-up outpatient clinic. During the visit to the outpatient clinic, a mini-mental state examination was applied to the participants, and blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests were performed and recorded. Results: Our study found a statistically significant relationship between age, education level, female gender, and the frequency of dementia in individuals aged 18 and over who applied to our Covid-19 follow-up outpatient clinic (%95 CI, respectively OR:1,039; p=0,001, OR=2,937; p=0,004, OR=1,793; p=0,038). We found that the frequency of dementia in individuals with metabolic syndrome was higher than in those without, but the relationship was not significant (OR=1,347; p=0,266). Conclusions: It should also be remembered that metabolic syndrome, which has turned into a global epidemic, may increase the frequency of dementia. According to the principles of family medicine of assuming responsibility for the community and seeing problems at early/undifferentiated stages, we consider and recommend that x necessary measurements be made in every patient applying to the outpatient clinic and that tests such as the mini-mental status test, which can be performed in a short time but which can also reveal the risk of disease to a significant extent, be applied to patients to improve the health of the community and to provide material and moral benefits for the public good. As the level of education increases, the frequency of both metabolic syndrome and dementia decreases. This shows us that raising an educated society can significantly reduce the burden on the health system. In this regard, the importance of providing at least an individual health and awareness education to society and practices aimed at increasing the level of general education is clearly felt. Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Dementia, Mini-Mental State Examination