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Kidneys that leak albumin and the brains of patients with cognitive decline share certain features of microvascular pathology. To assess this relation, investigators used the database of a large randomized controlled trial of the angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan (Micardis) during 5 years of follow-up.
Of 28,384 patients (mean age, 67; mostly white men; 63% current or former smokers), 16% had albuminuria at baseline. In adjusted analysis at baseline, patients with micro- or macroalbuminuria had a higher likelihood (27% and 51%, respectively) of having cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score <24) than did those with normoalbuminuria. In 2173 people who had worsening albumin status at 5 years, adjusted lik…