The effect of overweight on cognitive impairment in patients with essential hypertension
Background. There is growing evidence that obesity is associated with cognitive impairment. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of high blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) on cognitive functioning in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and methods. We selected 62 patients with hypertension degrees 2-3 (group 1) and 30 apparently healthy individuals (group 2) with a normal level of BP. Hypertensive subjects were divided into two subgroups based on their BMI: subgroup 1A consisted of 38 patients with hypertension and increased BMI, subgroup 1B - of 24 patients with hypertension and normal BMI. Neuropsychological examination was carried out by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results. The average MMSE score was 26.9 ± 1.5 in group 1 and 28.8 ± 1.1 in group 2 that indicates a significant cognitive decline in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Obese and hypertensive patients performed more poorly than non-obese hypertensives, their average MMSE score was significantly lower (26.4 ± 1.4 and 28.0 ± 1.2, respectively, p < 0.05). Mild cognitive impairment and dementia predominated in the structure among obese hypertensives. Conclusions. Cognitive performance was significantly lower in hypertensive patients compared to the control group. And those with combination of hypertension and overweight had a significantly greater decline in cognitive functioning.