Vitamin K Concentration and Cognitive Status in Elderly Patients on Anticoagulant Therapy: A Pilot Study. (19th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alisi, Ludovico; Cafolla, Clodomiro; Gentili, Alessandra; Tartaglione, Sara; Curini, Roberta; Cafolla, Arturo
• Other Names: Grosset Jean-Francois Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging research. Volume 2020(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02-19
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Aging -- Research -- Periodicals; 612.6705
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/9695324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-2204

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives . Recent studies have suggested that vitamin K may exert significant effects on the central nervous system. The present study investigates the relationship between vitamin K plasmatic levels and cognitive functions in elderly patients on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). Design . At the Thrombosis Centre of Haematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 85 patients on OAT, aged between 75 and 92, were randomly enrolled in the study. Patients were on OAT with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Vitamin K1 concentrations were determined using standardized High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Cognitive functions were assessed using the Milan Overall Dementia Assessment (MODA). Results . MODA scores are positively correlated to vitamin K1 concentration. Patients with vitamin K1 below 0.100 μ g/L and between 0.100 and 0.400 μ g/L showed a mean MODA score of 79 ± 5 and 82 ± 3, respectively. Patients with vitamin K1 above 0.400 μ g/L had a significantly greater MODA score (89 ± 1). After binning the data into bicentiles, MODA scores are shown to be linearly dependent on vitamin K1 concentrations (p < 0.001 ). Even long-term OAT (>10 years) does not affect MODA scores. Education seems to exert a greater role on the cognitive status in comparison with aging. Conclusions . The study shows a positive association between vitamin K1 concentration and cognitive status in elderly patients (≥75 years) on OAT. The relationship between vitamin K1 concentration and MODA scores is described by a linear model. Cognitive status is not influenced by the duration of OAT but by the years of education.