• Christopher E Clark, Daniel Thomas, David J Llewellyn, Luigi Ferrucci, Stefania Bandinelli, and John L Campbell.
• Primary Care Research Group, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, UK.
• Br J Gen Pract. 2020 Jul 1; 70 (696): e472-e480.

BackgroundSystolic inter-arm difference in blood pressure (IAD) and cognitive decline are both associated with cardiovascular disease; therefore, it was hypothesised that IAD may be predictive of cognitive decline.AimTo examine associations of IAD with cognitive decline in a community population.Design And SettingA prospective study of older Italian adults enrolled in the InCHIANTI study.MethodUnivariable and multivariable associations of IAD were explored with declines in mini mental state examination (MMSE) scores, Trail Making Test A and B scores, and a composite outcome representing substantial decline in any of these scores. Backward stepwise regression was used to adjust observed associations of IAD with cognitive decline.ResultsThe rate of decline for MMSE scores in 1133 participants was greater with IAD ≥5 mmHg or ≥10 mmHg. On univariable analyses continuous IAD was associated with the composite outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.16 per 5 mmHg of IAD, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 1.31). Substantial decline in MMSE score was seen with IAD ≥5 mmHg (OR 1.41, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.93), and in the composite outcome with IAD ≥5 mmHg (OR 1.44, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.89) or ≥10 mmHg (OR 1.39, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.88). After multivariable adjustment, an IAD ≥ 5 mmHg remained associated with reductions in the composite outcome, reflecting declining cognitive performance (OR 1.46, 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.03).ConclusionAn IAD ≥5 mmHg is associated with cognitive decline in a representative older population. Given that systolic inter-arm differences in blood pressure are easily measured, confirmation of these findings could inform individualised treatment for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.© British Journal of General Practice 2020.

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