Comparative study of pharmacological correction strategies for moderate cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients

Objective : to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and possibilities of its pharmacological correction in hypertensive patients, by comparatively evaluating the efficiency of different treatment options: antihypertensive therapy and its combinations with vasoactive drugs and the dopamine receptor agonist piribedil. Patients and methods . At the first stage of the investigation, the prevalence of CI was assessed in a continuous sample of hypertensive patients (n=350). The second stage included a naturalistic comparative study of the efficiency of various therapeutic strategies for moderate CI (MCI) in patients with Stage 1–2 hypertension (n=91). This investigation lasted 48 weeks and consisted of a 24-week treatment period and a 24-weeks follow-up period. Results and discussion . CI was diagnosed in 83.4% of patients in the continuous sample, while it reached the level of dementia in 16.9%. Therapy aimed at achieving and maintaining blood pressure (BP) targets did not lead to the regression of MCI. However, BP correction in combination with a 24-week piribedil therapy cycle was optimal in patients with CI. By the end of treatment, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) scores increased from 24.5Ѓ}0.8 to 27.5Ѓ}0.6 (p<0.05) and from 24.9Ѓ}0.7 to 27.1Ѓ}0.8 (p<0.05) in the groups of patients randomized to supplemental piribedil alone or in combination with nootropic and/or vascular drugs, respectively. There were no intergroup differences in the groups of patients randomized to supplemental piribedil. The time course of cognitive changes in the further follow-up period showed a longterm positive effect of piribedil on cognitive function. Conclusion . It is necessary to regularly screen for cognitive dysfunction in hypertensive patients. The most effective treatment in combination with a long-term piribedil therapy cycle for hypertension-associated MCI was to promote the achievement and retention of blood pressure targets.