title: Subclinical Mood and Cognition Impairments and Blood Pressure Control in a Large Cohort of Elderly Hypertensives.
abstract: Blood pressure (BP) control in the elderly is often limited by poor compliance with prescribed regimen. Both can be influenced by clinical cognitive or mood impairments; however, the impact of subclinical alterations of cognition or mood remains unknown.
  
  
  
  To assess the relation between cognition, mood, and BP control in treated older hypertensive patients.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional association study.
  
  
  
  Predefined substudy to the POLFOKUS nationwide survey investigating the correlates of poor BP control in patients randomly drawn from primary and specialist practices across Poland.
  
  
  
  1988 outpatients ≥65 years of age treated for hypertension for at least 1 year.
  
  
  
  BP was mean of at least 2 office measurements. We assessed adherence to antihypertensive medications using a questionnaire and performed screening tests for cognitive deficits [Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS)] and mood disorders [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)]. In all patients, we used a unified (BP <140/90 mm Hg) and in ≥80 years old a unified or age-specific (<150 mm Hg systolic BP) definition of BP control. We fitted logistic regression models to assess the probability of poor BP control in association with cognitive and mood disturbances.
  
  
  
  The mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 1988 (65.6% women) patients was 73.9 (6.0) years (19.3% ≥80 years old). Cognitive and mood impairments were observed in 8.0% and 37.2%, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 141.8 (16.4) and 83.6 (9.5) mm Hg, respectively. According to age-stratified and unified definition of proper BP control, goal BP was achieved in 65.4% and 38.5% patients ≥80 years of age, respectively. In younger patients, the control reached 46%. Globally, 66% patients adhered to antihypertensive medications. Poor compliance was related to cognitive and mood impairments. When unified goal was applied, there was a 15.0% higher risk of finding poor BP control per 1 score lost in AMTS and an 8.0% increase per 1 score gained in GDS (all P < .001).
  
  
  
  Poorer BP control is related to subclinical worsening of cognition and mood, which supports widespread use of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment even in apparently self-dependent older patients with hypertension.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Piotrowicz
authors: Department of Hypertension, Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Aleksander
authors: A
authors: Prejbisz
authors: 1st Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Klocek
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Topór-Mądry
authors: Medycyna Praktyczna, Liszki, Poland.
authors: Paulina
authors: P
authors: Szczepaniak
authors: 1st Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Kalina
authors: K
authors: Kawecka-Jaszcz
authors: Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Narkiewicz
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Grodzicki
authors: Department of Hypertension, Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Andrzej
authors: A
authors: Januszewicz
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: jerzy.gasowski@uj.edu.pl.
authors: Jerzy
authors: J
authors: Gąsowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: BP control; Cognitive impairment; elderly; mood disturbances; subclinical; survey