Cognitive impairment (CI) is a critical yet often overlooked comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A 2025 study by Siraj et al. examined healthcare workers’ (HCWs) perceptions and practices in Saudi Arabia, revealing that while most HCWs recognize CI’s detrimental effects on COPD management, few feel equipped to address it.
Highlights
- 83% of HCWs believe CI contributes to underdiagnosis; 81% associate it with poor self-management and misdiagnosis
- Only 3% felt fully confident managing CI-related behaviors or discussing a diagnosis
- Fewer than 45% actively assess CI during patient visits
- Common detection cues include psychiatric symptoms (84.5%), family history (76.4%), and memory loss (63.7%)
- Top barriers include poor training (64%), limited knowledge (64%), lack of protocols (58%), and time constraints (53%)
What Sets This Study Apart
As one of the first regional analyses, this study identifies factors—such as male gender, therapist roles, and ≥10 years’ experience—linked to better CI recognition, offering targets for future training.
Limitations
Findings are self-reported and geographically limited, reducing external validity. Patient outcomes were not assessed.
Could targeted interdisciplinary training help close current care gaps for COPD patients with cognitive impairment?
