Desempenho cognitivo em idosos hipertensos e normotensos

Abstract

The elderly population is growing rapidly in Brazil. The prevalence of hypertension and cognitive disorders is high in this population. We tested the hypothesis that hypertension is associated with decreased cognitive performance in the elderly. We selected normotensive and hypertensive subjects aged &#8805; 60 <80 years old. Cognition was assessed through Cambridge Cognitive Examination Revised (CAMCOG-R), subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale v.3 (WAIS III), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Trail Making Tests A/B (TMT-A/B). The cognitive performance assessed by the CAMCOG-R global score and the estimated WAIS III. QI is reduced in elderly hypertensives even when controlled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. The cognitive performance in diverse cognitive domains assessed through CAMCOG-R, WAIS III, TMT-A e RAVLT is also reduced in elderly hypertensives when contolled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. These results suggest that hypertension is associated with reduced global cognitive performance in eldely hypertensives. Notably, executive functions are reduced in eldely hypertensives. We speculate that hypertension might be a risk factor for the progressive decline in cognitive function and, therefore, for the development of dementia.