Clinical associations of T2-weighted lesion load and lesion location in small vessel disease: Insights from a large prospective cohort study.

Background: Subcortical T2-weighted (T2w) lesions are very common in older adults and have been associated with dementia. However, little is known about the strategic lesion distribution and how lesion patterns relate to vascular risk factors and cognitive impairment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between T2w lesion load and location, vascular risk factors, and cognitive impairment in a large cohort of older adults.

Reduction of Long-Term Care Dependence After an 8-Year Primary Care Prevention Program for Stroke and Dementia: The INVADE Trial.

Background: Stroke and dementia are the major causes for long-term care (LTC) dependence in old age. This intervention trial compared a multidomain prevention program for stroke and dementia with usual medical care in reducing the need for LTC.

Methods And Results: The Intervention Project on Cerebrovascular Disease and Dementia in the District of Ebersberg (INVADE) was a general practice-based 8-year trial in 2 defined catchment areas in Upper Bavaria, Germany.

Effect of an intensive nurse-managed medical care programme on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension is a major primary healthcare problem.

Aim: To investigate whether blood pressure (BP) control in primary care could be improved by nurses taking responsibility for managing hypertensive patients.

Methods: Randomized trial with two groups: usual or intensive care.

Higher systolic blood pressure is associated with progression of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with chronic kidney disease.

To examine the relationship between systolic blood pressure and progression of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), we studied 3364 patients from a community-based cohort of elderly individuals of whom 724 had CKD defined as creatinine clearances of stage 3 or less. The contribution of systolic blood pressure was evaluated in four ranges (<120, 120-129, 130-139, and > or = 140 mm Hg). All multiple linear regression analyses were adjusted for traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Impact of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis on incident chronic kidney disease in the elderly.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, no prospective studies have examined carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a risk factor for CKD.

Methods: A total of 2751 participants who were in the Intervention Project on Cerebrovascular Diseases and Dementia in the community of Ebersberg, Bavaria study and had normal baseline kidney function composed the study cohort. Measures of kidney function were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Cockcroft-Gault formula in mL/min/1.