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Objectives: to evaluate the influence of age on the day-night blood pressure rhythm and on the prevalence of vascular events in those whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) fell by <10% overnight (non-dippers). Design: cross-sectional observational cohort study. Setting: outpatient hypertension clinic. Participants: 419 hypertensive patients (214 male, 205 female). Methods: all subjects were submitted to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Spacelabs 90207). The nocturnal fall of SBP was calculated from (day SBP-night SBP)/day SBP, where 'day' values were recorded between 0600 h and 2200 h and 'night' values between 2200 h and 0600 h. Dippers and non-dippers were divided in two subgroups according to age (under or over 65 years). Information on gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus and body mass index was collected and cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events, evaluated by history and medical records, were registered. Results: the day-night difference in blood pressure significantly decreased with age and the prevalence of nondippers was greater in elderly than in younger subjects (65.1% vs 29.8%). No difference was found between groups for cerebrovascular events, irrespective of age. A relationship between non-dipping pattern and cardiovascular events was found only in younger hypertensive non-dippers (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-3.21); in elderly people the prevalence of cardiovascular events was similar in dippers and non-dippers. Conclusions: cardiovascular risk is not increased in elderly non-dipper hypertensive subjects. This contrasts with results in younger populations.

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Introduction A new national survey has been carried out by the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs). The aim of this new national survey is to provide a comprehensive description of the characteristics, organizational aspects of the CCDDs, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A list of all national CCDDs was requested from the delegates of each Italian region. The online questionnaire is divided in two main sections: a profile section, containing information on location and accessibility, and a data collection form covering organization, services, treatments, activities, and any service interruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Results In total, 511 out of 534 (96%) facilities completed the profile section, while 450 out of 534 (84%) CCDDs also completed the data collection form. Almost half of the CCDDs (55.1%) operated for 3 or fewer days a week. About one-third of the facilities had at least two professional figures among neurologists, geriatricians and psychiatrists. In 2020, only a third of facilities were open all the time, but in 2021, two-thirds of the facilities were open. Conclusion This paper provides an update on the current status of CCDDs in Italy, which still shows considerable heterogeneity. The survey revealed a modest improvement in the functioning of CCDDs, although substantial efforts are still required to ensure the diagnosis and care of patients with dementia.

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