Bajaj MPK, et al. - Researchers investigated their hypothesis that cognitive dysfunction at exacerbation is a disease-specific feature of COPD, rather than a nonspecific feature of hospitalization for acute illness, by comparing cognition between patients hospitalized for acute COPD exacerbations and those with worsening heart failure (HF). A total of 40 hospital inpatients, 20 patients with COPD exacerbations and 20 patients with congestive or left-sided HF were made to complete Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and to undergo spirometry and review of clinical records. Total MoCA score for COPD and HF indicated mild cognitive impairment in both groups, although greater scores were noted for people with COPD. Despite no clear evidence, the observed cognitive dysfunction in COPD appears correlated to blood glucose concentrations and greater lifetime smoking load.