Progress of Research on Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a common complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) thatsubstantially affectstheir treatment adherence, self-management ability and prognosis; it is an important extrapulmonary complication. Its pathogenesis is complex and mainly involves cerebral hypoperfusion and neuronal damage caused by chronic hypoxemia and disruption of the blood–brain barrier and neural structures by systemic inflammatory responses. Smoking, frequent acute exacerbations, coexisting cerebrovascular diseases, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders are amongst the multiple factors that contribute to and accelerate cognitive decline. This article aims to review the pathogenesis, related factors and intervention measures of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD to provide a reference for improving cognitive function in such patients.