High prevalence of leukoaraiosis in cerebral magnetic resonance images of patients on peritoneal dialysis.
BACKGROUND
Leukoaraiosis is a term used to define the abnormal appearance of subcortical white matter of the brain by means of neuroimaging and is regarded as an intermediate surrogate of stroke. The goal of this study is to identify the prevalence of leukoaraiosis and analyze predictors of risk of leukoaraiosis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
57 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients without diabetes treated in 3 academic medical-associated dialysis units who did not have a history of cerebrovascular disease or neurological symptoms compared with a convenience sample of 57 age- and sex-matched hypertensive control subjects with normal renal function.


METHODS
End-stage renal disease treated by PD compared with hypertension, adjusted for clinical and laboratory characteristics.


METHODS
Hyperintense areas on magnetic resonance imaging T2 high-signal intensity scoring system.


RESULTS
The prevalence of leukoaraiosis was significantly greater in patients on PD therapy than controls (68.4% versus 17.5%; P < 0.001). High T2 signal intensity score in patients on PD therapy compared with controls was significantly higher in the anterior circulation of the brain, relatively sparing the posterior fossa. End-stage renal disease, age, and poor control of blood pressure were significant independent predictors of leukoaraiosis.


CONCLUSIONS
There is the possibility that biases regarding the selection of enrolled patients had an influence on a study result.


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging of PD patients without evidence of cerebrovascular disease showed a high prevalence of leukoaraiosis in the anterior circulation of the brain. Old age, poorly controlled hypertension, and the PD procedure itself and/or end-stage renal disease seem to be associated with the presence of leukoaraiosis.
Kim
Chan-Duck
CD
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Lee
Hui-Joong
HJ
Kim
Dae-Joong
DJ
Kim
Beom-Seok
BS
Shin
Sug-Kyun
SK
Do
Jun-Young
JY
Jang
Min-Hwa
MH
Park
Sun-Hee
SH
Kim
Yong-Sun
YS
Kim
Yong-Lim
YL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D049292:Leukoaraiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography