J Clin Neurol.  2005 Apr;1(1):69-75. 10.3988/jcn.2005.1.1.69.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome and C-reactive Protein Levels with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stroke

• Bang OY
• Lee MA
• Lee JH
• Kim JW
• Lee PH
• Joo IS
• Huh K

• KMID: 2287715
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2005.1.1.69

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.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Intracranial stenosis; Ischemic stroke; Metabolic syndrome; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Adult
Atherosclerosis
C-Reactive Protein*
Cardiovascular Diseases
Humans
Intracranial Arteriosclerosis
Ischemic Attack, Transient
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Stroke*
C-Reactive Protein

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The number of components of metabolic syndrome within each stroke subtype. Asterisk indicates a significantly higher value compared with other stroke subtypes (P<0.001). SAD; small arterial disease, EC-LAA; extracranial large arterial atherosclerosis, IC-LAA; intracranial large arterial atherosclerosis

• 

  Figure 2 The impact of metabolic syndrome and C-reactive protein levels on atherosclerotic stroke. Filled bars (▪), intracranial atherosclerosis; Open bars (□), extracranial atherosclerosis. Met SD indicates metabolic syndrome. CRP, C-reactive protein. Low and high refers to CRP levels of ≤3 and >3 mg/L, respectively.

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