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The association of antihypertensive agents with MRI white matter findings and with Modified Mini-Mental State Examination in older adults.

TitleThe association of antihypertensive agents with MRI white matter findings and with Modified Mini-Mental State Examination in older adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsHeckbert, SR, Longstreth, WT, Psaty, BM, Murros, KE, Smith, NL, Newman, AB, Williamson, JD, Bernick, C, Furberg, CD
JournalJ Am Geriatr Soc
Volume45
Issue12
Pagination1423-33
Date Published1997 Dec
ISSN0002-8614
KeywordsAdrenergic beta-Antagonists, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antihypertensive Agents, Brain, Calcium Channel Blockers, Cognition, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diuretics, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Risk Factors
Abstract<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To examine the association of antihypertensive regimen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter hyperintensity and with cognitive impairment in older adults.</p><p><b>DESIGN: </b>Cross-sectional study.</p><p><b>SETTING: </b>The Cardiovascular Health study, an observational prospective cohort study of risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke in men and women 65 years of age and older.</p><p><b>PARTICIPANTS: </b>1268 men and women with pharmacologically treated hypertension.</p><p><b>MEASUREMENTS: </b>Information on medication use, medical history, and health habits was collected at clinic examinations. Participants completed the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and underwent MRI examination. Without clinical information, study neuroradiologists assigned an overall grade of white matter signal intensity on MRI on a scale from 0 (no findings) to 9 (extensive findings).</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Adjusted mean white matter grade was higher for users of calcium channel blockers (2.59, P = .007) and users of loop diuretics (2.60, P = .015) than for users of beta blockers (2.12). The association was present for both dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Adjusted mean 3MS scores were lower for users of calcium channel blockers (89.6, P < .002), especially dihydropyridines, and users of loop diuretics (89.7, P < .006) than for users of beta blockers (92.3). No statistically significant association could be shown for users of other drug regimens, including thiazides and ACE inhibitors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>In this study, users of antihypertensive regimens which included calcium channel blockers or loop diuretics had more severe white matter hyperintensity on MRI and worse performance on 3MS than users of beta blockers.</p>
Alternate JournalJ Am Geriatr Soc
PubMed ID9400550
Grant ListN01-85079 / / PHS HHS / United States
N01-85080 / / PHS HHS / United States
N01-85081 / / PHS HHS / United States