Blood pressure as a predictor of everyday cognitive function in aging adults with and without fibromyalgia

ABSTRACT

Objective: Both hypotension and hypertension are related to poorer cognitive performance in older adults. However, little attention has been paid to everyday problem solving, a real-world indicator of functionality and independence among aging individuals. Research also suggests that chronic pain may affect the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and cognition. This study examined the relationship between BP and everyday problem solving in older adults with and without fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic pain condition.

Method: The study included 99 participants with an FM diagnosis (M_age = 59.95) and 88 healthy older adults (M_age = 68.01).

Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that systolic BP and pulse pressure, but not diastolic BP, were significant predictors of everyday problem solving after controlling for executive function. FM status did not moderate this relationship.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that BP is an important factor in functional and cognitive health, especially among aging adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognition
• executive function
• vascular
• chronic pain
• fibromyalgia
• older adults

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.