Journal article
Longitudinal Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence for Improvement in Heart Failure
Journal of cardiovascular nursing, Vol.24(3), pp.192-197
05/2009
DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31819b54de
PMCID: PMC2700621
PMID: 19390336
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and particularly heart failure (HF) have been associated with cognitive impairment in cross-sectional studies, but it is unclear how cognitive impairment progresses over time in older adults with these conditions.
Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively examine cognitive function in patients with HF versus other forms of CVD.
Method: Seventy-five older adults (aged 53-84 years) with CVD underwent Doppler echocardiogram to evaluate cardiac status and 2 administrations of the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), a test of global cognitive functioning, 12 months apart.
Results: Although DRS performance did not statistically differ between groups at either administration, a significant between-group difference in the rate of cognitive change emerged (lambda = 0.87; F = 10.50; P = .002; omega 2 = 0.11). Follow-up analyses revealed that patients with HF improved significantly on global DRS performance, whereas patients with other forms of CVD remained stable. More specifically, patients with HF showed improvement on subscales of attention, initiation/perseveration, and conceptualization. Exploratory analyses indicated that higher diastolic blood pressure at baseline was associated with improved DRS performance in patients with HF (r = 0.38; P = .02).
Conclusions: Patients with HF exhibited modest cognitive improvements during 12 months, particularly in attention and executive functioning. Higher diastolic blood pressure at baseline was associated with improvement. These results suggest that cognitive impairment in patients with HF may be modifiable and that improved blood pressure control may be an important contributor to improved function. Further prospective studies are needed to replicate results and determine underlying mechanisms.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Longitudinal Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence for Improvement in Heart Failure
- Creators
- Kelly M Stanek - Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, OhioJohn Gunstad - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, OhioRobert H Paul - Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode IslandAthena Poppas - Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Rhode Island Medical Center, ProvidenceAngela L Jefferson - Alzheimer’s Disease Center; Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MassachusettsLawrence H Sweet - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode IslandKarin F Hoth - Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, DenverAndreana P Haley - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Texas, AustinDaniel E Forman - Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Care, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, MassachusettsRonald A Cohen - Professor, Department of Cardiology, Rhode Island Medical Center, Providence
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of cardiovascular nursing, Vol.24(3), pp.192-197
- DOI
- 10.1097/JCN.0b013e31819b54de
- PMID
- 19390336
- PMCID
- PMC2700621
- NLM abbreviation
- J Cardiovasc Nurs
- ISSN
- 0889-4655
- eISSN
- 1550-5049
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2009
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984066385102771
Metrics
17 Record Views