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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Total serum homocysteine levels do not identify cognitive dysfunction in multimorbid elderly patients
S Hengstermann1, G Laemmler, A Hanemann
1Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Research Group on Geriatrics at Ev. Geriatriezentrum Berlin, Reinickendorfer Strasse 61, 13347 Berlin, Germany.
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|February 14, 2009
Summary
Elevated homocysteine (Hcys) levels were common in multimorbid elderly patients but did not predict cognitive dysfunction. Folate and vitamin B12 levels were normal, suggesting Hcys is not a key risk factor for cognitive decline in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a concern in elderly populations.
- Homocysteine (Hcys) and folate levels are studied for their association with cognitive health.
- Previous research has not focused on multimorbid elderly patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if total serum homocysteine (Hcys) can identify cognitive dysfunction in multimorbid elderly patients.
- To assess cognitive function using the Short Cognitive Performance Test (SKT) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in an acute geriatric hospital.
- 189 multimorbid elderly patients were recruited.
- Cognitive function, biochemical markers (Hcys, folate, vitamin B12), nutritional status, and daily living activities were assessed.
Main Results:
- 25.4% of patients had no cognitive dysfunction, while 31.7% were demented based on SKT.
- Median plasma Hcys was elevated by ~20% in multimorbid patients, irrespective of cognitive status.
- No significant differences were found in nutritional status, daily activities, comorbidities, or medications between cognitive groups.
Conclusions:
- Multimorbid elderly patients exhibited elevated serum Hcys with normal folate and vitamin B12.
- Plasma Hcys levels did not appear to be a significant biological risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in this group.
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