Correlation between serum dehydroepiandrosterone and cognitive function in Thai pre/ perimenopause women aged 40-49 years old: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine correlation between serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cognitive impairment as evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in premenopausal/ perimenopausal women. The study also evaluated other factors those can affect both cognitive function and DHEA concentrations. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, single population study recruited 101 healthy premenopausal/perimenopausal women aged 40-49 years. The inclusion criteria included participants who did not have i) hormonal treatment including DHEA, ii) previous ovarian operation, and iii) endocrinological, neurological and mental illness. Blood sampling and MoCA test were performed following the written informed consent. The MoCA, a cognitive screening test evaluating 8 compartments of global cognitive function, was all performed by single certified-physician. MoCA < 25 is determined as having cognitive impairment. DHEA concentrations were measured in batch utilizing the deMeditec ELISA kits. Results: Mean age of the participants was 43.49 ± 2.89 years. Mean DHEA concentration was 16.07 ± 5.45 ng/ml while the MoCA score was 24.12 ± 3.44. Women with impaired cognitive function (MoCA < 25) were 44.6% (45/101). Neither correlation between DHEA-MoCA, Age-DHEA, nor Age-MoCA was observed (r = -0.139, -0.01, -0.12, respectively; p > 0.05). Only women's years of education was positively correlated with the MoCA score (r = 0.469, p < 0.001). Adjusted odd ratio of serum DHEA on low MoCA (< 25) score was 0.98 (95%CI 0.92, 1.06, p = 0.649 determined by log-regression analysis). Conclusion: No correlation between serum DHEA concentration and cognitive function as determined by the MoCA score in the premenopausal/perimenopausal population aged between 40-49 years old. © 2019 Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. All rights reserved.