The association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension exerts a subtle impact on the brain that is revealed by diminished cognitive function. This study aimed at evaluating the association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 500 subjects from general population were evaluated. All neuropsychological tests were negatively associated with age; memory and executive function were also positively related with education. RESULTS: The hypertensives (HT) were less efficient than the normotensives (NT) in the test of memory with interference at 10 s (MI-10) (-32%, p = 0.043), clock drawing test (CLOX) (-26%, p < 0.001), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (-7.4%, p = 0.02). Lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were predicted by higher systolic (OR, 0.94, p = 0.032; OR 0.96, p < 0.001; OR 0.94, p < 0.001) and higher pulse pressure (BP) (OR 0.95, p = 0.04; OR 0.97, p < 0.001; and OR 0.92, p < 0.001). The cognitive reserve index (CRI) was 8% lower in the HT (p = 0.04) and was predicted by higher pulse BP (OR 0.86, p < 0.001). The BP vectors of lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were directed towards higher values of systolic and diastolic BP, that of low CRI towards higher systolic and lower diastolic. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the belief that a link exists between BP and cognition, higher values of systolic BP being associated to impaired cognitive function.

Treatment of Scabies: Comparison of Lindane 1% vs Permethrin 5.

Scabies, whose etiologic agent is Sarcoptes scabiei, is a neglected parasitic disease that is a major public health problem in many resourcepoor regions. Its current therapies include benzyl benzoate, lindane, permethrin, sulfur, crotamiton, monosulfiram, and oral ivermectin. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of lindane 1% lotion vs permethrin 5% in the treatment of scabies. A total of 120 patients with scabies attending a dermatology outpatient department were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Sixty patients and their family contacts received 5% permethrin cream and the other 60 received 1% lindane lotion. Treatment was evaluated at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks. Permethrin provided improvement in 48 patients (80%) after 2 weeks, whereas lindane was effective in only 28 patients (46.6%). Permethrin (5%) cream was found to be significantly more effective in the treatment of scabies compared with lindane in this study. Adverse effects were rare in both the permethrin and lindane groups.