The Association between Blood Pressure Variability and Dementia and Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis
Date
2018
Authors
Aamir, Umama
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Background: Blood pressure irregularities are the precursor to all vascular diseases. Elevated systolic blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Similarly, the burden of dementia is on the rise. BP variability (BPV) has been suggested to be able to predict dementia and cognitive impairment more accurately than mean BP. A body of literature has shown the link between increased BPV, a high average BP, cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. However, the extent of this association is controversial, and remains unknown.
Aim: To identify the magnitude of the association between BPV, cognitive impairment, and incident dementia.
Meta-Analysis: Eleven studies, comprised of 52, 784 individuals, were identified after a comprehensive search of the Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Data was extracted and prepared to calculate risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Forest plots were created. Heterogeneity was identified and publication bias was assessed.
Results: Systolic BPV was significantly associated with cognitive impairment [RR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.06 – 1.57; p = 0.01] and overall cognitive decline [RR: 1.23; 95% CI 1.08 – 1.40; p = 0.001].
Conclusion: This meta-analysis has clinical implications on potential clinical interventions and treatments for dementia and cognitive impairment. It may also aid in healthcare policy regarding patient BP monitoring and modulation. We live in a world with an increasingly ageing population, which makes the present a critical time to uncover the relationship between BPV and dementia and cognitive impairment.
Keywords: blood pressure variability, dementia, cognitive impairment, cognitive decline
School/Discipline
School of Psychology
Dissertation Note
Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2019
Provenance
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses.
Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Description
This item is only available electronically.