Blood Pressure Variability and Its Relationship with Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients with Essential Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To investigate blood pressure variability of Elder hypertensives with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with cognition. Methods: A total of 143 elderly hypertensives were enrolled and divided into diabetic group (59 cases) and non-diabetic group (84 cases). The difference of general clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, carotid ultrasound, a neuropsychological Scales and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (24hABPM) parameters between the two groups of subjects were compared. Then, the two groups (diabetic group and non-diabetic group) were further divided into (Mild cognitive dysfunction) subgroup (MMSE>26) and normal cognition subgroup (MMSE≤26), respectively. On the basis of MMSE scores, the difference of the parameters of ABPM between the two subgroups was analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, 24hSBP, 24hPP, dSBP, dPP, nSBP, nPP, 24hSSD, dSSD, nSSD, 24hSCV, dSCV and nSCV were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p<0.05). However, cognition was lower in the diabetic group. No significant difference was found in the circadian pattern of blood pressure between the two groups. 24hSSD, dSSD, nSSD, 24hSCV, dSCV, nSCV were significantly higher in the MCI subgroup than normal cognition subgroup in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups(p<0.05), and they were negatively associated with scores of MMSE, the correlation coefficient were -0.235, -0.246, -0.341, -0.158, -0.222, -0.238 (0.001≤P<0.05). Conclusion: The study showed that in the elderly with hypertension, the mean systolic blood pressure and blood pressure variability were both higher in the diabetic group, and the cognition was lower instead. Whether or not with diabetes, blood pressure variability was always higher in the MCI subgroup. Blood pressure variability increased in patients with diabetes, and was associated with cognitive decline.