Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Hypertensive Patients and Its Relationship with Serum Midkine Levels

Abstract

Objective: Hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors associated with dementia. Our aim was to research cognitive functions in patients with HT and its relationship to midkine levels in serum. Material and Methods: This study examined 45 patients who were over 60 years of age, had at least five years of education, and had an essential HT diagnosis. We also had 30 healthy control subjects. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was applied to the patients. Scores of 24 and lower from the MMSE indicated a cognitive disorder. In relation serum levels of midkine were also evaluated. Results: The MMSE scores of the HT patients were compared to the control group and were significantly lower (p lt;0.01). Midkine levels in the HT patients (25.10 ±8.16 ng/mL) compared to the control group (19.59±7.53 ng/mL) and were significantly higher (p lt; 0.01). Midkine levels were also higher in HT patients with cognitive impairment compared to HT patients without any cognitive impairment (p lt;0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between midkine levels and MMSE scores, (r = 0.558, p lt;0.01). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an important relationship between increased serum midkine levels and cognitive decline in HT patients.

Keywords

• hypertension
• cognitive decline
• midkine
• mini mental state examination
• hipertansiyon
• kognitif bozulma
• midkine
• mini mental durum değerlendirme