Fig. 2.

Annual MMSE decline in AD cases with hypertension (set 2) by ChEI and aHTN drug use. Trajectories for cognitive decline among different groups in set 2 were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect regression model. Bars and error bars represent the coefficient β and standard error of the mean for the time variable in each group, respectively. In ChEI+ group, concomitant use of aHTN drugs was associated with significantly slower cognitive decline (slope difference Δβ = +0.56, P < .01). The use of aHTN drug was not associated with a significantly different rate of cognitive decline in the ChEI− group (Δβ = −0.31, P = .53). Note that “+” denotes drug users and “−” denotes nonusers. For example, ChEI+/aHTN− represents patients who used ChEIs but not aHTN drugs. Abbreviations: AD, Alzheimer's disease; aHTN, antihypertensive; ChEI, cholinesterase inhibitor; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination.