Relationship of White-Matter Lesions and Lacunar Infarcts with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of white-matter lesions are different from those of lacunar infarcts; however, both these conditions are related to cardiovascular risk factors. This study was performed to investigate the differences in the relationships of white-matter lesions and lacunar infarcts with cardiovascular risk factors and differences between the metabolic characteristics of patients with these conditions. METHODS: We included 4,255 patients who showed neurological deficits during health checkups. These individuals were classified into the following 3 groups on the basis of MRI findings: normal, white-matter lesion, and lacunar infarct. The groups were compared for age; weights; prevalence of metabolic syndrome; and levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and HbA1c. RESULTS: Age, body mass index (BMI); waist circumference; levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides and HbA1c; and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components were the highest in lacunar infarct group, followed by white matter lesion group, and normal group. Age and diastolic blood pressure level were related to white matter lesions, and age, systolic blood pressure level, and blood glucose level were related to lacunar infarcts. Further, the prevalence of the above-mentioned lesions increased with increase of the number of the components of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that lacunar infarct is more advanced lesion than white matter lesion. Among all the cardiovascular risk factors, high blood pressure and impaired fasting blood glucose levels were significantly related to white-matter lesions and lacunar infarct.