title: Associations of arterial stiffness and cognitive function with physical fitness in patients with chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether arterial stiffness is associated with cognitive function after adjustment for physical fitness in patients with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analyses were conducted in 102 patients with chronic stroke who participated in an exercise rehabilitation programme. Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were measured as indices of arterial stiffness and central systolic loading. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination. Parameters of physical fitness included the 6-min walk test, flexibility, balance, and muscle strength tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity was significantly associated with Mini Mental State Examination (r = -0.45, p < 0.01) and parameters of physical fitness (r = -0.45~ -0.55, p  < 0.01, all). Mini Mental State Examination was significantly associated with parameters of physical fitness (r = 0.32~0.46, p < 0.01, all). In multivariable linear regression models, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity was inversely associated with Mini Mental State Examination after adjustment for multiple risk factors (beta = -0.33, p = 0.01). However, the association was attenuated and became non-significant after additional adjustment for physical fitness (beta = -0.11, p = 0.39).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial stiffness measured by carotid femoral pulse wave velocity is associated with cognitive function in patients with chronic stroke, but not after adjustment for physical fitness. Maintaining appropriate levels of physical fitness may have a favourable effect on both vascular and cognitive function in patients with stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, University of Seoul, 130-743 Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Sun
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Soo Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Heffernan
authors.forename: Chong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sae Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jae
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*