A cross-sectional study on cognitive function and influencing factors in patients with hypertension / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences of cognitive functions in patients with hypertension and normotensives, and to analyze the primary influencing factors on cognitive functions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a cross-sectional study carried out in two community populations of Beijing in 2001. The study subjects consisted of 83 hypertensive individuals aged 50-65 years, who were both stroke and dementia-free, the control group was chosen with 83 normotensives who were matched one by one with hypertensive individuals on age, sex, educational level and occupation. Socio-demographic, behavioral, medical history, and physiological data were collected on all participants through interview and medical examination. A comprehensive and computerized neuropsychological battery was administered.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total score of Basic Cognitive Ability Examination on hypertension (63.62) was worse than that among controls (68.58) with P < 0.01. Mean reaction time of Digit Discrimination of hypertensive (1.25) was longer than controls (1.17) with P < 0.05. The span of Digit Working Memory of hypertensive (4.96) was shorter than controls (5.63) with P < 0.05. The Score of Dual-Word Recognition of hypertensive (12.05) was lower than controls (13.45) with P < 0.01. Educational level, age and hypertension were the primary influencing factors on cognitive function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with hypertension performed significantly worse than controls on velocity of perception, working memory and word memory. The findings suggested that the prevention of hypertension could protect cognitive function.</p>