ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the impact of multiple lacunar infarction (MLI) on the outcomes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods MCI patients were selected in outpatients and hospitalized patients using a common international standard MCI screen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) were used to determine the presence of MLI. MCI patients were followed up for 6～24 months and their cognitive status and the impact of MLI on MCI were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results One hundred twenty patients were diagnosed as having MCI based on clinical evaluation and neuropsychological assessment. Among them, 43 (35.8%) patients had MLI and the rest 77 (64.1%) patients did not have. Twenty-seven MCI patients with MLI (62.8%) developed dementia, while 15 MCI patients without MLI (19.4%) developed dementia during 6～24 months follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the incidence of dementia was significantly higher in patients with MLI than in patients without MLI did (P＜0.05). Conclusions MCI patients with MLI are more prone to dementia. These results suggest that early interventions aimed at controlling the modifiable risks are warranted for dementia prevention in MCI patients with MLI.