Comparing Framingham Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score and Cognitive Performance between Cognitive Normal Non-Hispanic Whites and Mexican American Elders

Purpose: To compare the relationship between Framingham Risk Scores and cognitive function between a cohort of Mexican-Americans (MAs) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Methods: 518 cognitively normal participants (92 NHWs and 426 MAs) from the Health and Aging Brain Among Latino Elders study were studied. Demographic and clinical data relevant to Framingham Cardiovascular Disease 10-year Risk Score (FCVDRS) were assessed. FCVDRS was calculated based on BMI and categorized as Low if < 10, Moderate if between 10-20, and High if >20. Cognitive performance was evaluated using Trails B, Wechsler Logical Memory I and II, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Animal Naming (AN) tests. Demographic data was analyzed using t-tests and chi-square tests as appropriate. Pearson correlation tests and ANOVAs were used in comparing FCVDRS and FCVDRS categories against cognitive performance respectively. Results: MAs had significantly higher BMI, Systolic BP, and prevalence of Diabetes. Significantly higher proportion of NHWs were current smokers and were undergoing Hypertension treatment. Both cohorts were primarily female and had no significant difference in FCVDRS. Pearson Correlation Tests and ANOVAs were significant for Trails B, MMSE, and AN in MAs only. Tukey post-hoc tests showed significantly decreased performance for High-Risk groups when compared to Low-Risk groups in Trails B and when compared to Moderate-Risk risk groups in MMSE and AN. Conclusion: Mexican-Americans with High FCVDRS show decreased cognitive performance when compared to NHWs. FCVDRS could be used to identify high risk Mexican-Americans for early intervention.