Cognition and cardiovascular comorbidities among older adults in primary care in West India

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., diabetes and hypertension) are comorbidities associated with cognitive impairment. The present study was planned to study the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment using General Practitioner assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) scale, which is easy to use scale in the primary care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 350 older adults (mean age=66.71 ± 6.53 years; M:F = 220:130) among 3000 who reported to the primary care center in West India were screened. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed based on written medical records. GPCOG was used for cognitive screening of those over the age of 60 with subjective memory complaints. RESULTS: Frequency of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in those with cognitive impairment was 46.2% (n = 162/350) and 29% (101/350) in those without cognitive impairment. A Chi-square test of proportion showed values to be statistically significantly different (Chi-square value = 22.04; P =< 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.0463–24.1076%). Odds ratio was found to be 1.6 (95% CI =2–2.1; P =< 0.05). CONCLUSION: A higher CV risk factors were observed among those with cognitive impairment compared to those cognitively normal older adults in the primary care.