Vascular Dementia

Biography

Biography: Petya Mineva

Abstract

Objectives:

The aim of this epidemiological study is to estimate the significance of asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS≥50%) andrnarterial hypertension (AH) for cognitive impairment (CI) in a population without signs and symptoms of stroke or TIA.

Methods:

A total of 500 volunteers, aged 50-79 years, were enrolled and followed-up for cognitive performance. CI has been definedrnas a score between 24 and 27 of MMSE. Additional neuropsychological tests have also been conducted.

Results:

CI in persons without any degree of ACS has been detected at only 13.85% (27/195). In comparison to the whole grouprninvestigated (p<0.012), as well as to the subgroup without ACS, CI has significantly increased in participants with ACS<50% (22.3% -rn61/273, p<0.01) and especially with ACS≥50% (40.6% - 13/32, p<0.001). Significant differences in the prevalence of CI have also beenrnfound between the two subgroups with ASC<50% or ACS≥50% (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis has been conducted betweenrnthe group with ASC≥50% and an age and sex adjusted control group. It has revealed no relation between CI and ACS≥50%. However,rnmultiple logistic regression analysis has shown that the combination of ACS≥50% and systolic AH (SAH) attributes to CI (OR=10.7;rn95%CI: 3.36-34.14; p=0.0001). CI has been presented as a declinein attention, verbal fluency and verbal working memory at the endrnof the study.

Conclusion:

This pattern of CI, which is specific for a cerebral small vessel disease in long lasting AH, has supported the thesis thatrnSAH and ACS≥50%, not only ACS≥50%, are attributable for CI.