Liyan Zhang, Dongli Zhang, Wei Qin*
Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071000, China
- Corresponding Author:Wei Qin; E-mail: chenchen181217@163.com
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effect of a high-potassium, low-sodium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) intervention on cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with H-type hypertension (HHTN) complicated with cerebral small vessel disease.
Methods
A total of 112 patients with essential hypertension admitted to our hospital from February 2022 to February 2023 were enrolled and divided into two groups: the non-HHTN group [plasma homocysteine (Hcy) <15 μmol/L, n=46] and the HHTN group (Hcy≥15 μmol/L, n=66). The HHTN group was randomly assigned to the control group (CG, n=33) or the experimental group (EG, n=33). The EG received the high-potassium, low-sodium DASH intervention. General clinical data, clinical indicators, cognitive function scores, and nutritional markers were collected and analyzed.
Results
HHTN patients had significantly higher Hcy, lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)/Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (worse cognition), and higher Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scores (better daily function) than non-HHTN patients. Hcy correlated negatively with MoCA/MMSE and positively with ADL. Post-intervention, both groups improved nutritional markers [albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (HGB), and transferrin (TFN)], but EG improved more. Hcy decreased and MoCA/MMSE increased (improved cognition) significantly more in EG than CG. ADL increased (improved function) more in EG.
Conclusion
Plasma Hcy concentration is negatively correlated with cognitive function in HHTN patients, suggesting it may be crucial for CI occurrence and progression. High-potassium, low-sodium DASH intervention effectively reduces Hcy and delays CI in cerebral small vessel disease patients, worthy of clinical promotion.
Keywords: H-type hypertension; cerebral small vessel disease; cognitive impairment; dietary approaches to stop hypertension; homocysteine