Effect of Age and Hypertension on Cognition: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive impairment has evolved as major health and social issue. As age advances cognitive tasks involving processing speed, working memory and executive function get affected. Cognitive impairment is also influenced by modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Aim: To find out the effect of age and hypertension on cognition. Materials and Methods: The total study participants were divided into three groups based on their age as group I (18-29) group II (30-59) and group III (above 60) with 20 participants (n= 20) in each group. Their cognition was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination, Picture word Learning test, Stroop colour word test, Letter digit coding test, Verbal fluency and Logic memory tests. Disease history and known co morbidities (hypertension) were noted. Post-hoc test (Bonferroni) was employed to assess age-wise comparison of cognition and Pearson’s chi-square test was used to compare cognition between hypertensive and normotensives. Results: Group II had impaired cognition when compared with group I (p-value- 0.000). Group III had impaired cognition when compared with group I (p-value- 0.000) and group II (p-value 0.001). The hypertensives in group II and III had statistically significant impairment in cognition when compared with normotensives (p-value -0.001) in the same group. Conclusion: Cognitive functions are impaired as a result of increase in age. Furthermore, there is also a significant decrease in cognitive functions amongst those suffering from hypertension. Hence, we conclude there is decrease in cognitive function as age advances and the co-existence of hypertension hastens this decline.

Keywords

• cognitive impairment
• mini mental state examination
• old age