[A cross-sectional study on cognitive function and influencing factors in patients with hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the differences of cognitive functions in patients with hypertension and normotensives, and to analyze the primary influencing factors on cognitive functions.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Wang
Wen-hua
WH
Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China.
Zhao
Dong
D
Liu
Sa
S
Qin
Lan-ping
LP
Wu
Zhao-su
ZS
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests