The influence of age and gender on the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with cardiovascular risks

Abstract

Assessment of the features of cognitive impairment in patients with vascular risk factors, depending on age and gender. The observational cross-sectional study included data from 1.651 patients aged 45 to 84 years with vascular risk factors from various regions of the Russian Federation. The presence and nature of cognitive impairment (CI) were detected using the MOCA test, taking into account the total MOCA score and MOCA indexes evaluating violations of individual cognitive functions (memory, attention, speech, executive and visual-constructive functions, orientation). CI was detected in 89.2% of the surveyed (the total score of the MOCA <26). In middle-aged patients, 45-49 years old, executive functions and attention suffered more. The negative dynamics of CI significantly worsened in the age range of 70-75 years, statistically significantly increased every subsequent five years and was manifested by deterioration both in the mnestic sphere and in other cognitive domains. Statistically significant differences in the indicators of the total MOCA score in women and men were revealed at the age of 80-84 years (16.1 vs. 13.8 points, respectively, p=0.0279). By the age of 80-84, women had higher indicators of attention (p=0.025) and orientation (p=0.028) than men of the same age. The data obtained make it possible to identify patients, regardless of gender, under the age of 70 as an important target group for the treatment and more aggressive prevention of CI.