Correlation between the distribution of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions and risk factors in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke: a multicenter registry study

Abstract

Objective \nTo investigate the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke. \n \n \nMethods \nIn this multi-center study, 2 310 continuously inpatients with ischemic stroke diagnosed in 20 stroke screening and prevention project base hospitals from June 2015 to May 2016 were enrolled. Carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color-coded sonography or transcranial Doppler were performed in all patients to confirm the presence of cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion. According to the distribution of lesions, the subjects were divided into 2 groups: the simple intracranial artery stenosis group and the simple extracranial artery stenosis group. The difference of risk factors between the two groups was compared. \n \n \nResults \nOf the 2 310 patients with ischemic stroke, 1 516 (65.6%) had simple intracranial artery stenosis and 794 (34.4%) had simple extracranial artery stenosis. The incidence of anterior circulation artery stenosis was higher in the group of intracranial artery stenosis than that in the extracranial artery stenosis group (68.1% vs 48.7%, P<0.001). Posterior circulation artery stenosis and combined anterior with posterior circulation artery stenosis were more common in patients with extracranial artery stenosis group than those in intracranial artery stenosis group (36.4% vs 22.1%, 14.9% vs 9.8%; all P<0.001). Univariate analysis of risk factors for stroke showed that patients with intracranial arterial stenosis had a higher prevelence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and family history of stroke, and their systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood-glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher than those in the extracranial arterial stenosis group (all P<0.05). The proportion of elderly (≥65 years old), male and smokers in the extracranial arterial stenosis group was significantly higher than that in the intracranial arterial stenosis group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (≥65 years old), male, and smoking history were independent risk factors for extracranial arterial stenosis (OR=2.012, 1.637, 1.325, respectively; all P<0.05). While hypertension, diabetes, less physical activity, and high BMI levels were independent risk factors for simple intracranial arterial disease (OR=1.301, 1.252, 1.248, 1.030, respectively; all P<0.05). \n \n \nConclusions \nThere are significant differences in the distribution characteristics and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial aterial lesions in patients with ischemic stroke in China. \n \n \nKey words: \nUltrasonography;\xa0Ischemic stroke;\xa0Atherosclerosis;\xa0Distribution;\xa0Risk factor