Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Author Information
Author(s): Baune Bernhard T., Unwin Steven J., Quirk Frances, Golledge Jonathan
Primary Institution: Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide
Hypothesis
Patients with infrarenal AAA have an increased risk towards the symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment in comparison to patients with occlusive atherosclerosis.
Conclusion
AAA patients are at a higher risk for cognitive impairment than intermittent claudication patients.
Supporting Evidence
- AAA participants showed greater levels of cognitive impairment in immediate and delayed memory compared to intermittent claudication patients.
- Cognitive dysfunction was best predicted by increasing aortic diameter.
- CRP was positively related to AAA diameter, but not to cognitive function.
Takeaway
This study found that people with a certain type of blood vessel problem (AAA) have more trouble with memory and thinking than those with a different problem (intermittent claudication).
Methodology
A cross-sectional study assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in 26 participants with either intermittent claudication or AAA using various cognitive and psychiatric assessment tools.
Potential Biases
Underrepresentation of females in the AAA group may introduce bias.
Limitations
The small sample size and lack of gender diversity limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 20 males and 6 females, with ages ranging from 43 to 80 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.028
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website