Association between Hypertension and Dementia in Elderly Patients

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Dementia poses a significant and growing health challenge among the aging population globally. While vascular risk factors are implicated in cognitive decline, the specific association between hypertension and dementia in the context of Bangladesh requires further elucidation. Objective: To determine the association between hypertension and dementia in elderly patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 87 elderly patients (aged ≥60 years) were enrolled using purposive sampling. Of 87 elderly patients, 45 with hypertension and 42 without were followed for 24 months. Dementia was diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria. Data analysis employed SPSS version 23.0 to determine the association between exposure and outcome. Results: The mean age of participants was 68.4±6.2 years. At the end of the follow-up period, the incidence of dementia was significantly higher in the hypertensive group (15/45, 33.3%) compared to the normotensive group (6/42, 14.3%). The relative risk for developing dementia among hypertensive elderly patients was 2.33 (95% CI: 1.01–5.41, p=0.037), indicating a statistically significant positive association between hypertension and incident dementia. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant positive association between hypertension and the subsequent development of dementia in the elderly Bangladeshi population. These findings underscore the importance of rigorous blood pressure control as a potential strategy for reducing the burden of dementia in this setting.