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ObjectiveHigh blood pressure is one of the main modifiable risk factors for dementia. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the best antihypertensive class for optimizing cognition. Our objective was to determine whether any particular antihypertensive class was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline or dementia using comprehensive meta-analysis including reanalysis of original participant data.MethodsTo identify suitable studies, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO and preexisting study consortia were searched from inception to December 2017. Authors of prospective longitudinal human studies or trials of antihypertensives were contacted for data sharing and collaboration. Outcome measures were incident dementia or incident cognitive decline (classified using the reliable change index method). Data were separated into mid and late-life (>65 years) and each antihypertensive class was compared to no treatment and to treatment with other antihypertensives. Meta-analysis was used to synthesize data.ResultsOver 50,000 participants from 27 studies were included. Among those aged >65 years, with the exception of diuretics, we found no relationship by class with incident cognitive decline or dementia. Diuretic use was suggestive of benefit in some analyses but results were not consistent across follow-up time, comparator group, and outcome. Limited data precluded meaningful analyses in those ≤65 years of age.ConclusionOur findings, drawn from the current evidence base, support clinical freedom in the selection of antihypertensive regimens to achieve blood pressure goals.Clinical trials registrationThe review was registered with the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42016045454.

Background: Most studies on prolonging working careers have explored later career, while less is known about social and particularly health-related determinants of entry into labour market. We examined social and health-related factors from childhood and adolescence as predictors of age at entry into paid employment and early occupational class, and whether own education moderates these associations., Methods: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 was followed from birth until the end of 2015. We included 8542 participants (52% male) who had had a minimum of 6-month employment that was defined by registered earning periods. As socioeconomic predictors, we examined low parental education at age 7 and low household income at age 16. Behaviour- and health-related factors at age 16 included smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, overweight, length of sleep and not having breakfast, while mental health problems included symptoms of anxiety and depression, attention problems and social problems. The analyses for significant predictors were further stratified by register-based level of completed own education by age 28-29 (low/high)., Results: After adjustments, low parental education, smoking and having been drunk were significant predictors of early entry into paid employment (≤18 vs. ≥24 years), especially among those who later obtained high education. Low parental education and smoking were predictors of low or non-specified (vs. high) occupational class in the first job. Mental health problems were not associated with either outcome., Conclusions: Socioeconomic background and unhealthy lifestyle contribute to early entry into the labour market and low occupational status in the first job., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.)