ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the risk factors for cognitive impairment 3 months after an ischemic stroke and their predictive value.Methods:A retrospective case-control study considered the records of 856 elderly patients who had survived an ischemic stroke. All had been evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA). They were divided according to their MoCA scores into a group without cognitive impairment (the PSNCI group) and an impaired (PSCI) group. The subjects′ demographic and clinical laboratory data were compiled. All had been assessed using the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the Barthel Index (BI), and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated and a receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was computed.Results:There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender distribution, age, hypertension and heart disease history, family history of dementia and education level. Moreover, significant differences were observed in the groups′ average total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), urinary neurofilament protein (AD7c-NTP), NIHSS scores, BIs and ADL scores. Logistic regression showed that a history of heart disease, urinary AD7C-NTP level and HAMD score were significant independent predictors of cognitive impairment 3 months after a stroke. A high BI was an independent protective factor. The area under the ROC curve for urinary AD7C-NTP was the largest (0.875) and had significant predictive value with a cut-off value of 2.43, sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 0.75.Conclusion:Age, sex, education, smoking, drinking, body mass index, a history of heart disease or stroke, a family history of dementia and elevated AD7C-NTP, TC or TG are risk factors for cognitive impairment after a stroke. A high BI suggests a better prognosis. Urinary AD7c-NTP is a useful predictor of PSCI 3 months after a stroke.