The effect of hypertension on neurocognitive functioning and quality of life

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension has been reported as one of the most important etiologic factors in cardiovascular disease. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of hypertension on neurocognitive functioning and quality of life.
Design: The study was cross sectional, and clinic based. The sample comprised of 50 adult Zambians aged 40- 65years.
Main outcomes: The main outcomes were neurocogntive functioning and quality of life.
Measures: The measures used in this study were the Zambian neurobehavioral test battery as a measure of neuro cognitive functioning and the SF12 Health survey as a measure of quality of life.
Results: There was no significant difference in neuropsychological test performance on all the seven ability domains measured. On Global Deficit Scores impairment index, Chi square showed more impairment in the hypertensive group; however this was not statistically significant. Pearson's correlations test showed that at 0.05 sig. side effects correlated negatively with Physical functioning (r=0.593) and mental health (r=0.598) and at 0.01 sig. with vitality scale (r=0.6340 and social functioning (r=0.618) of the SF12 health survey domains.
Conclusion: Quality of life seems to be more affected than neurocognitive functioning in the hypertensives in this study.