Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function in middle aged and elderly Lithuanian urban population: results from the HAPIEE study

• Published in: BMC neurology 2012-11, Vol.12 (1), p.149-149, Article 149
• Main Authors: Tamosiunas, Abdonas, Baceviciene, Migle, Reklaitiene, Regina, Radisauskas, Ricardas, Jureniene, Kristina, Azaraviciene, Adelina, Luksiene, Dalia, Malinauskiene, Vilija, Daugeliene, Evelina, Sapranaviciute-Zabazlajeva, Laura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age Distribution; Aged; Analysis; Biomarkers; Biomedical research; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cognition; Cognition Disorders - epidemiology; Cognitive ability; Comorbidity; Education; Exercise; Female; Grants; Health sciences; Heart attacks; Humans; Lithuania - epidemiology; Low density lipoprotein; Male; Mens health; Middle age; Middle Aged; Older people; Prevalence; Quality of life; Risk Factors; Risk factors (Health); Sex Distribution; Standard deviation; Statistical analysis; Studies; Urban population; Womens health; Writing
• ISSN: 1471-2377; 1471-2377
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-12-149

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive ability in middle aged and elderly Lithuanian urban population. Data from the survey performed in the framework of the HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe) study were presented. A random sample of 7,087 individuals aged 45-72 years was screened in 2006-2008. The scores of immediate recall and delayed verbal recall, cognitive speed and attention were significantly lower in men than in women; yet numerical ability scores were higher in men. Significant associations between lowered cognitive functions and previous stroke (in male OR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.75-3.64; in female OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.75, 3.64) as well as ischemic heart disease history (among male OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.03-1.60) have been determined. Higher level of physical activity in leisure time (among female OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.03-1.69), poor self-rated health (among male OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.15-2.14) and poor quality of life (in male OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.07-2.61; in female OR = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.92-4.11) were related to lowered cognitive function. The findings of the study suggest that associations between cardiovascular risk factors and lowered cognitive function among healthy middle-aged and elderly adults strongly depend on gender.