ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the independent risk factors of cerebral white matter lesions (WML) of different degrees in the elderly aged 80 years and over,and provide the evidences for forecasting the prognosis of WML.Methods Brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) findings in 151 people aged 74 to 93 years were collected and analyzed.According to the severity of WML in brain MRI using the Fazekas Scale,the persons were divided into non-WML (control) group,mildWML (grade 1 WML) group and moderate-to-severe WML (grade 2 WML) group.The cognitive score,vascular risk factors,cerebral hemodynamic and arteriosclerotic index,and radiological features were compared among the three groups.Subsequent one-way ANOVA and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to determine the statistically significant factors and the independent risk factors among groups.Results The statistically significant factors with one-way ANOVA analysis among the three groups were cognitive performance (F = 48.595,P = 0.000),hypertension (x2 =7.052,P=0.029),cigarette history (x2 = 19.476,P= 0.000),cholesterol (TC) (F= 3.086,P=0.049),Crouse score (F=3.968,P=0.021) and multiple cerebral atrophy indexes.When compared with control group,cigarette history (OR 2.031,95%CI 1.244-1.317),lacunar infarction (LI)numbers (OR 2.031,95%CI 1.316-4.015) and cholesterol (OR 1.610,95%CI 0.972-2.668) were independent risk factors in grade 1 WML group (all P＜0.05).The independent risk factors between grade 1 and 2 WML group were cognitive performance (OR 0.276,95%CI 0.143-0.532),cigarette history (OR 2.262,95% CI 1.260-4.059),and sylvian fissure ratio (SFR) (OR 1.954,95% CI 1.013-3.768) (all P＜0.05).The independent risk factors between the grade 2 WML group and control group were cognitive performance (OR 0.091,95%CI 0.030-0.273),bicoudate ratio (BCR)(OR 2.511,95%CI 1.147-5.499),Crouse score (OR 2.304,95%CI1.127-4.712)and LI numbers (OR 2.200,95%CI 1.028-4.707) (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Mild WML patients have no significant abnormalities in cognition,brain atrophy and cerebral atherosclerosis.Moderate to severe WML patients manifest remarkable cognitive disorder,cerebral atherosclerosis and brain atrophy.Compared with the controls,cognitive performance,BCR,Crouse score,LI numbers were the independent risk factors for moderate-severe WML patients.