Composite cardiovascular risk scores and neuropsychological functioning: a meta-analytic review.

Abstract

The ability for patients to understand their risk for disease is important to early intervention and effective treatment. The link between individual cardiovascular risk factors and cognition has been well-established. This study investigated the relationship between cognition and a combination of these factors through a single composite risk score. This study quantitatively summarized the strength of the association between composite cardiovascular risk scores and cognitive test performance using meta-analytic methods. One hundred and nine effect sizes were obtained from 19 studies employing 54,564 participants. Composite risk scores showed a significant association (r=-0.16) with cognitive test performance. Cognitive domain and age did not significantly modify this relationship. Composite cardiovascular risk scores can be useful indicators of future cognition. The development of a dementia risk score using similar risk factors could aid in the assessment and lifestyle interventions of persons at risk for dementia.