lancet-header

Preprints with The Lancet is part of SSRN´s First Look, a place where journals identify content of interest prior to publication. Authors have opted in at submission to The Lancet family of journals to post their preprints on Preprints with The Lancet. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision making and should not be presented to a lay audience without highlighting that they are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed. For more information on this collaboration, see the comments published in The Lancet about the trial period, and our decision to make this a permanent offering, or visit The Lancet´s FAQ page, and for any feedback please contact preprints@lancet.com.

Antihypertensive Treatment Can Delay Cognition Decline in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese between 2011 and 2015: Results from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

25 Pages Posted: 21 Mar 2020

See all articles by Chihua Li

Chihua Li

Zhengzhou University - Zhengzhou Central Hospital

Shumin Rui

Columbia University - Department of Epidemiology

Lambert Lumey

Columbia University - Department of Epidemiology

More...

Abstract

Background: Observational studies have compared non-hypertensive to hypertensive individuals to evaluate the impact of high blood pressure on cognition. Clinical trials have examined cognition outcomes in hypertensive patients receiving new vs standard treatments to assess the impact of better treatments on cognition. No studies to date have compared outcomes in hypertensive individuals with or without hypertensive treatment and non-hypertensive controls.

Methods: We examined blood pressure change and antihypertensive treatment in a national sample of 10,958 participants aged 45 years and older followed every two years between 2011 and 2015 in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Cognition was measured by a composite score (range: 0-21) of episodic memory and mental intactness.

Findings: At baseline, the study included 1,907 hypertensive individuals who reported treatment, 1,925 who reported no treatment, and 7,126 non-hypertensive controls. Untreated hypertensive individuals show a larger cognition decline than controls without hypertension, especially when aged 65 or older (Cognition score change: -0.65, 95% CI: -0.97, -0.34). Patients on hypertensive treatment show less cognition decline than those reporting no treatment (Score difference: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.94). Similar changes were seen among participants aged 55-64 years. The largest impact of hypertension on cognition decline was seen among participants with less than primary school education. This group also benefited the most from hypertension treatment. Little cognition decline over time was seen among participants younger than 55 years.

Interpretation: Our findings suggest that antihypertensive treatment may be effective in preventing the cognition decline over time associated with this condition, especially in the older people or people with less education.

Funding Statement: None.

Declaration of Interests: The authors have no competing interests.

Ethics Approval Statement: Not required.

Keywords: Aging; hypertension; antihypertensive treatment; cognition decline

Suggested Citation

Li, Chihua and Rui, Shumin and Lumey, Lambert, Antihypertensive Treatment Can Delay Cognition Decline in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese between 2011 and 2015: Results from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (February 28, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3546048 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3546048

Chihua Li

Zhengzhou University - Zhengzhou Central Hospital

100 Science Avenue
Zhengzhou, Henan 45001
Cambodia

Shumin Rui

Columbia University - Department of Epidemiology

722 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
United States

Lambert Lumey (Contact Author)

Columbia University - Department of Epidemiology ( email )

722 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
United States