Systematic review: blood pressure lowering in patients without prior cerebrovascular disease for prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia
- B McGuinness1,
- S Todd1,
- A P Passmore1,
- R Bullock2
- 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Whitla Medical Building, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- 2Kingshill Research Centre, Victoria Hospital, Swindon, UK
- Dr B McGuinness, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 5HP, UK; b.mcguinness{at}qub.ac.uk
- Received 17 February 2007
- Revised 9 May 2007
- Accepted 13 June 2007
BACKGROUND
Hypertension and cognitive impairment are prevalent in older people. Hypertension is a direct risk factor for vascular dementia, and recent studies suggest hypertension also impacts on the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. The question is therefore whether treatment of hypertension lowers the rate of cognitive decline.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of blood pressure (BP) lowering treatments for the prevention of dementia and cognitive decline in patients with hypertension but no history of cerebrovascular disease.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Trials were identified through a search of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Group’s Specialised Register which contains records from CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Relevant journals were searched, drug companies, colleagues and researchers were contacted, and reference lists of all trials identified were screened.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trials in which pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions to lower BP were given for at least 6 months.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two independent reviewers assessed trial …
