title: Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function in middle aged and elderly Lithuanian urban population: results from the HAPIEE study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive ability in middle aged and elderly Lithuanian urban population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the survey performed in the framework of the HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe) study were presented. A random sample of 7,087 individuals aged 45-72 years was screened in 2006-2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The scores of immediate recall and delayed verbal recall, cognitive speed and attention were significantly lower in men than in women; yet numerical ability scores were higher in men. Significant associations between lowered cognitive functions and previous stroke (in male OR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.75-3.64; in female OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.75, 3.64) as well as ischemic heart disease history (among male OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.03-1.60) have been determined. Higher level of physical activity in leisure time (among female OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.03-1.69), poor self-rated health (among male OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.15-2.14) and poor quality of life (in male OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.07-2.61; in female OR = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.92-4.11) were related to lowered cognitive function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the study suggest that associations between cardiovascular risk factors and lowered cognitive function among healthy middle-aged and elderly adults strongly depend on gender.
authors.affiliation: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Academy of Medicine, Institute of Cardiology, Sukileliu 17, 50009, Kaunas, Lithuania. abdonas.tamosiunas@med.kmu.lt
authors.forename: Abdonas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamosiunas
authors.forename: Migle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baceviciene
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reklaitiene
authors.forename: Ricardas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Radisauskas
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jureniene
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azaraviciene
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luksiene
authors.forename: Vilija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malinauskiene
authors.forename: Evelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daugeliene
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sapranaviciute-Zabazlajeva
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution