Ms. Zhang Jinghua is a Year 3 nursing PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research, conducted under the guidance of her PhD advisor, Assistant Professor Vivien Wu Xi, focuses on improving health outcomes for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) through innovative approaches. This project is funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and National University of Singapore (JSPS-NUS) Joint Research Grant. Recently, Ms. Zhang was honored with the NUHS Young Investigator Award for her team’s work in developing a cognitive risk stratification score to predict the risk of cognitive impairment in T2DM patients.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that poses a significant threat to global health, with numbers projected to reach 783 million by 2045. In Singapore, one in three Singaporeans is at risk of developing diabetes, and the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) in T2DM averages 45% globally. Ms Zhang Jinghua’s research aimed to develop a risk stratification score (RSS) to predict the risk of CI in individuals with T2DM.

Her study, conducted with convenience sampling from Jurong Polyclinic, involved 150 participants, of whom about 49% experienced cognitive impairment. The logistic regression model identified diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) as significant predictors of CI. The RSS demonstrated a very good description of high- and low-risk CI individuals.

Low DBP, MoCA score, and SPPB score were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. The findings highlight the importance of using RSS to improve the accuracy of CI predictions and facilitate early preventive interventions, such as exercise, to reduce sarcopenia and enhance cognition in T2DM patients.

Ms Zhang Jinghua is deeply honored to receive the NUHS Young Investigator Award. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative effort and unwavering support from multidisciplinary experts and institutions. She extends her heartfelt gratitude to NUHS for this recognition, her PhD advisor, Assistant Professor Vivien Wu, Co-advisor, Associate Professor Wilson Tam for their invaluable guidance, and the dedicated team and collaborators for their hard work and commitment.

This award motivates her to continue pursuing excellence in research and contributing to the improvement of health outcomes for individuals with T2DM. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches in addressing complex health challenges. She looks forward to furthering her research and making meaningful impacts in the field of diabetes and cognitive health.