Abstract
Vitamin K participates in brain physiology. This study aimed to determine whether using vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), which interfere with the vitamin K cycle, were (i) cross-sectionally associated with altered cognitive performance, and (ii) independent predictors of cognitive changes in older adults over 24 months. Information was collected on the use of VKAs (i.e., warfarin, acenocoumarol, and fluindione) among 378 geriatric outpatients (mean, 82.3 ± 5.6 years; 60.1% female). Global cognitive performance and executive functions were assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) scores, respectively, at baseline and after 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Age, gender, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, disability, gait speed, comorbidities, atrial fibrillation, stroke, carotid artery stenosis, leukoaraiosis grade on computed tomography (CT) scan, psychoactive drugs, antidementia drugs, blood-thinning drugs (i.e., anticoagulants other than VKAs, antiplatelet medications), serum creatinine levels, and vitamin B12 concentrations were considered as potential confounders. Using VKAs was associated with lower (i.e., worse) FAB score at baseline (adjusted β = −2.1, p = 0.026), and with a decrease in FAB score after 24 months (adjusted β = −203.6%, p = 0.010), but not after 12 months (p = 0.659). Using VKAs was not associated with any change in MMSE score at baseline (p = 0.655), after 12 months (p = 0.603), or after 24 months (p = 0.201). In conclusion, we found more severe executive dysfunction at baseline and incident executive decline over 24 months among geriatric patients using VKAs, when compared with their counterparts.
Highlights
Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the drugs most commonly used in the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disease in older adults [1,2]
The possibility of an adverse impact of VKAs on the brain is strengthened by the finding of abnormalities of the central nervous system (CNS) in newborns exposed to VKAs in utero [6], and in older adults regularly using VKAs [7]
The present study aimed (i) to confirm that the use of VKAs was cross-sectionally associated with cognitive impairment, and (ii) to determine whether the use of VKAs was an independent predictor of cognitive changes among older adults visiting a memory clinic, after 24 months of follow-up
Summary
Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the drugs most commonly used in the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disease in older adults [1,2]. We recently showed that the use of VKAs was directly associated with cognitive impairment in geriatric patients, even while taking into account the history of atrial fibrillation and stroke [8]. This pilot study was limited by its cross-sectional design, which prevented the establishment of a temporal sequence of events. The present study aimed (i) to confirm that the use of VKAs was cross-sectionally associated with cognitive impairment, and (ii) to determine whether the use of VKAs was an independent predictor of cognitive changes among older adults visiting a memory clinic, after 24 months of follow-up
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