Key result
High pulse pressure (≥ 65 mmHg) was significantly associated with lower cognitive function scores on Okabe's test (42.7 vs 44.3, p=0.002) compared to low pulse pressure, without systolic blood pressure mediation.
Why the study?
Growing evidence links vascular risk factors to cognitive impairment, but the impact of pulse pressure on cognitive function remains controversial.
Does high pulse pressure associate with cognitive impairment and silent brain lesions in a non-demented Japanese population?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,546)
No
Does high pulse pressure associate with cognitive impairment and silent brain lesions in a non-demented Japanese population?
Absolute Event Rate: 42.7% vs 44.3%
p-value: p=0.002
High pulse pressure is associated with lower general intelligence and visuospatial ability independent of systolic blood pressure in non-demented Japanese individuals.
High pulse pressure may mark lower cognition independent of SBP; hypothesis-generating, needs longitudinal confirmation before practice implications.
Background Growing evidence suggests that vascular risk factors, especially hypertension, relate not only to cardiovascular disease but also to cognitive impairment. However, the impact of pulse pressure on cognitive function remains controversial. In this study, we evaluated the associations between pulse pressure and cognitive function in a Japanese health examination cohort using propensity matching analysis. Methods We examined 2,546 individuals with a mean age of 60.8 ± 10.3 years who voluntarily participated in health examination. Clinical variables including pulse pressure, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive function were assessed. We divided the participants into the high and low pulse pressure groups and evaluated their physical examination data, cognitive functions, and silent brain lesions using propensity matching. To clarify whether pulse pressure and blood pressure have different implications for cognitive function, a mediating analysis was also conducted. Results Higher pulse pressure corresponded to lower Okabe and Kohs’ scores. The relationship between pulse pressure and cognitive impairment was not significantly mediated by systolic blood pressure. We observed no significant associations between silent brain lesions and pulse pressure. Conclusion High pulse pressure associates with cognitive impairment without systolic blood pressure mediation in Japanese subjects without dementia.
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Mizuhara et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Cognitive impairment (n=2,546). High pulse pressure (≥ 65 mmHg) vs. Low pulse pressure (< 65 mmHg) was evaluated on Okabe's Intelligence Scale score (after propensity matching) (p=0.002). High pulse pressure (≥ 65 mmHg) was significantly associated with lower cognitive function scores on Okabe's test (42.7 vs 44.3, p=0.002) compared to low pulse pressure, without systolic blood pressure mediation.
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