Risk factors of intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis among asymptomatics.
BACKGROUND
Little information is available regarding the risk factors for intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis (ICAS), particularly among asymptomatics.


METHODS
Data from a consecutive series of 1,208 subjects aged > or =40 years, with no history of stroke, and who had undergone transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) were collected prospectively. The role of classic risk factors was assessed in the presence and severity of asymptomatic ICAS, which was determined by TCD.


RESULTS
Regarding the presence of ICAS, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were as follows: 1.22 (1.08-1.37) for every 10-year increase in age, 1.44 (1.08-1.91) for hypertension and 1.86 (1.33-2.59) for diabetes mellitus. No significant association was observed with regard to male sex, smoking or hyperlipidemia.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are significant risk factors for ICAS in asymptomatic populations.
Bae
Hee-Joon
HJ
Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Korea. braindoc@snu.ac.kr
Lee
Juneyoung
J
Park
Jong-Moo
JM
Kwon
Ohyun
O
Koo
Ja-Seong
JS
Kim
Byung-Kun
BK
Pandey
Dilip K
DK
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial