Orthostatic Hypotension, Hypotension and Cognitive Status: Early Comorbid Markers of Primary Dementia?

Abstract

Objective: Few studies have explored the relationship between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cognition. The aim of this study was to examine the association of OH with cognitive impairment and decline in a cohort of Chinese elderly, and its effect modification by blood pressure (BP) status at baseline. Method: Among 2,321 community-living older adults, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, baseline BP measurements were used to determine the presence of OH and categorize participants as hypotensives, normotensives or hypertensives. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24). Cognitive decline (decrease in MMSE score by ≧1) was assessed from 1 to 2 years of follow-up for 1,347 participants without baseline cognitive impairment. Results: Mean age of the subjects was 65.5 years and 381 (16.6%) showed OH. OH was not associated with cognitive impairment overall. However, among hypotensives, OH increased the odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.11–15.1), while hypertensives with OH showed reduced odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.90). Among cognitively intact participants, OH was not associated with cognitive decline overall or in BP subgroups. Conclusion: The increased risk of cognitive impairment in hypotensives with OH suggests that hypotension with OH may be an early comorbid marker of a primary incipient dementia.