Do Cognitive Function in Hypertension Worse or Better in Women or Men: Are Comparisons Realistic?

Abstract

Objective: More evidence confirms that cognitive disorders (CD) in hypertension (H) are early signs of cerebral blood flow deregulation and often occur before other target organs are affected. Therefore, assessment and monitoring of cognitive functions in H should be a criterion for the effectiveness of treatment and prognosis of the course of the disease. Design and method: The study results are based on the data of a comprehensive examination of 185 working patients with controlled H stage II with SCORE risk of CVD <5 %. According to the neuropsychological testing on MMSE and MoCA scales, 157 people with various severity CD were found. There were 87 (55.4 %) women and 70 (44.6 %) men among them, and the average age was 52.3 (8.2) years; the average duration of H was 10 (8 - 12 years). The comparison and control groups were adequate for the purpose. The standard methods of parametric and non-parametric statistics processed the obtained data. Results: Significant differences were noted in the parameters of the daily profile of blood pressure (VAR SBP, VAR DBP), both during day and night, in patients with H and CD of both genders due to ambulatory monitoring of BP. According to the data of the correlation analysis, a significant direct correlation of average strength was established between the day and night variability of SBP and DBP and the development of CD in patients with H, regardless of the gender of the patients: with VAR SBP during the day - r = 0.573, with VAR SBP at night - r = 0.614, with VAR DBP during the day - r = 0.426, with VAR DBP at night - r = 0.453. Conclusions: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for the development and progression of CD in both genders. No objective reason to discuss whose gender cognitive functions are worse or better. It is also essential to pay attention to the high autonomic index and variability of blood pressure ambulatory monitored day and night due to the increased risk of development and progression of CD.