title: Association of Metabolic Syndrome and C-reactive Protein Levels with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk factors for intracranial atherosclerosis are unclear but may differ from those for other stroke subtypes. Here, we investigated whether metabolic syndrome, an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is associated with intracranial atherosclerotic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Adults Treatment Panel III criteria, we evaluated the components of metabolic syndrome in 439 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome within each stroke subtype was determined, and the association between intracranial atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metabolic syndrome was observed more frequently in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis than in those with other types of stroke (P=0.003). In a multiple regression analysis, metabolic syndrome, but not conventional risk factors, was independently associated with intracranial atherosclerosis (P=0.016). By contrast, the serum level of C-reactive protein was correlated negatively with the presence of intracranial atherosclerosis. Intracranial atherosclerosis was most prevalent in patients with metabolic syndrome and low levels of C-reactive protein (P=0.024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that metabolic syndrome is a strong independent risk factor for intracranial atherosclerotic stroke. Therefore, treatment of metabolic abnormalities may be an important prevention strategy for intracranial atherosclerotic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Oh Young
authors.initials: OY
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Mi Ae
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Phil Hyu
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Kyoon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huh
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