Relationship Between Neurocognitive Profile and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Relationship between Cardiovascular Risk Factors (CVRF) and Neurocognitive Disorders (ND) is important, since the first are modifiable. It was studied the influence of cardiovascular risk factors in the neurocognitive profile. Patients and Methods: Transversal analytic prospective study. Patients attended by cognitive symptoms were included. CVRF were recorded. According to Montreal Cognitive Assesment (MoCA) (cutoff of 26 points) two groups were made: Without cognitive disorder (NoCD) and cognitive disorder (CD). Cognitive Domains (CD) were evaluated. Risk groups were established (No CVRF, 1 CVRF, 2 CVRF, 3 or more CVRF). The relation between risk groups with invidual cd and with CD and noCD groups, was established. Chi Square for attributes. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis for differences between groups, significance level p<0.05. Results: 66 patients (female 57/86%). Age 63.7±16 years. Most prevalent CVRF: physical inactivity, hypertension, smoking. MoCA average of 20.91±5.78. The CD group (n=48) received lower score in MoCA and worst performers in every cd. Groups 2 and 3CVRF able worst performance, and visuospatial/executive function were the most affected. Conclusion: People over 65 years with increased cardiovascular risk, have poorer cognitive performance. The factors with the greatest implication would be female, age, years of schooling and summation of cardiovascular risk factors. The cd most affected are visuospatial and attention.