Relationship between blood pressure index and cognition in older adults

ABSTRACT

Objective

We aimed to examine the contributions of blood pressure index (BPI) and other measurements to cognitive function in older adults.

Method

Four hundred sixty-six subjects aged over 65 who applied to the outpatient Geriatric Clinics of Gulhane Training and Research Hospital were enrolled in the study. Demographics and clinical conditions were collected from their files. Pulse pressure index (PP) (SBP – DBP), mean arterial pressure index (MAP) [(SBP + DBP x 2)/3] and BPI (SBP/DBP) were recorded. We used the Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test for evaluating global cognition. We classified participants into two groups based on MMSE score: normal with a score of 27 or more and lower cognitive function with a 26 or lower cognitive function.

Results

31% of subjects (n = 143) had lower and 69% (n = 323) had normal cognitive function. When compared blood pressure measurements between groups, BPI and PP were higher in the subjects with lower cognitive function [BPI: 1.78 ± 0.25 vs. 1.71 ± 0.23, p = .007 and PP: 58.97 ± 17.59 vs. 54.05 ± 15.38, p = .009]. After adjustment for confounders, a 2.545 fold increased risk of cognitive decline was observed among subjects with higher BPI when compared to those with normal (OR: 2.545, 95%CI: 1.024–6.325, p = .044).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that BPI is an associated with cognition in older adults and may a novel alternative marker for identifying the subjects at the risk of dementia.

KEYWORDS:

• Arterial stiffness
• blood pressure index
• cognitive Function

Acknowledgments

None

Declaration of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors have sole responsibility for the content and writing of the paper.