Risk factors of cardiovascular and chronic non-communicable diseases and 9-year dynamics of cognitive functions in an ageing population

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the level of risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) and their changes over 9 years with the dynamics of indicators of cognitive function (CF) in an ageing population.
Material and methods. The study was based on a random population sample of men and women aged 45–69 years old examined at baseline in 2003–2005 (n = 9360, Novosibirsk, HAPIEE project). Present analysis included a subsample of persons with repeated CF measurements (n = 3153). The average follow-up period was 9.2 ± 0.7 years (from 47–74 to 55–84 years). Repeated measurements of RF, history and treatment of CVD and NCDs, indicators of CF (memory, semantic verbal fluency, attention and processing speed) were done. The associations between 9-year regression of CF and the baseline level of RF and their 9-year dynamics were evaluated in linear and logistic regression.
Results. In the studied population sample the extent of 9-year regress of CFs was associated with baseline high level of systolic blood pressure (p = 0.005) and fasting blood glucose (FG) (p = 0.003), low body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.011) in men and smoking (p = 0.037) in women aged 47–74 years old. Regarding the difference between baseline and prospective level of RF in 9 years, the regress of CF was associated with decrease of total cholesterol value (p = 0.027), continued smoking (p = 0.032) in men, decrease of BMI (p = 0.024 and p = 0.012) in women decrease of the average dose of alcohol per session (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014) in women, and increase of the average dose of alcohol in men (p = 0.049). Independent predictors of low prospective value of different CF scores at age of 55–84, were the baseline level of FG above 5.95 mmol/l (p = 0.013 and p = 0.044), the level of BMI equal or lower 24.2 kg/m²  (p = 0.016 and p = 0.023), former smoking (p = 0.007) in men, and non-drinking status in women (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004). 
Conclusions. In studied population we identified the associations between modifiable risk factors of CVD and chronic NCD and their changes during 9-year follow-up, and the extent of age-related regress of CF. These findings might have an implication in prevention of cognitive impairment.

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