Relationship between cognitive impairment and arterial stiffness in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between cognitive impairment and arterial stiffness in elderly patients. Methods A total of 142 elderly patients were enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and arterial stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). A full score on the MMSE was 30, and cognitive impairment was defined as a score less than 24. All subjects underwent the measurement of PWV and MMSE . The subjects were divided into 2 groups 93 were assigned to the normal cognitive function group (MMSE score 24), and the remainders (n=49) were assigned to the cognitive impairment group (MMSE score 24). Results The PWV was significantly increased in the cognitive impairment group than in the normal cognitive function group [(13.3±2.4) m/s vs. (11.8±2.2) m/s, t=3. 775, P=0. 000]. Logistic regression analysis showed that the PWV was also independently and significantly associated with the MMSE score. Conclusions The increase of arterial stiffness is an important risk factor for impaired cognitive function in elderly patients.