Examining and Comparing Executive Functions in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Subjects and Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Today, diabetes is a serious problem worldwide, as WHO predicts, in the year 2025, the population suffering from diabetes will be about 333 million adults (Norouzi, Ghafranipour, Heidarnia, Tahmasbi, 2010). Disease Management requires planning and problem solving capabilities which as a range of functions are categorized as executive functions. Executive functions are important structures playing a fundamental role in directing and normalizing behavior. Therefore, the study was designed with the goal of comparing and examining patients suffering from type 2 diabetes in contrast with healthy subjects. The study was conducted using a causative-comparative method in 2013-14 in Tehran. Research population were people referring to Gabric association of whom 36 volunteer patients with diabetes were chosen. The control group were chosen amongst patients’ companions with no disease records and were tested by WCST. Findings showed deficiencies in executive functions of patients with type 2 diabetes. Generally, we can say that these deficiencies can prevent proper disease management of type 2 diabetes.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2017.v8n3p293