Prevalence and risk factors of cerebral white matter changes and silent infarcts on brain computed tomography scans among community-dwelling healthy adults: The PRESENT project
- Author:
Hyunyoung Park
;
Jaehoon Jo
;
JinSung Cheong
;
Hyuk Chang
;
Hak-Seung Lee
;
SangHak Lee
;
Seung-Han Suk
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2014;19(4):351-356
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cerebral white matter changes (WMCs) and silent brain infarcts (SBIs) are common radiologic
findings in neurologically asymptomatic elderly people, but are associated with an increased risk
of subsequent stroke. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for these cerebral changes on
brain computed tomography (CT) in 480 community-dwelling healthy Korean adults without stroke
or dementia, who were recruited for an early health program. Cerebral WMCs were defined as the
presence of approximately 5 mm wide ill-defined and moderately hypodense lesions, and SBIs were
defined as the presence of >2 mm wide well-defined hypodense lesions. Of the 480 patients, 49 (10.2%)
had cerebral WMCs and SBIs findings on brain CT. The prevalence of WMCs and SBIs increased
with age: the prevalence was 2.4%, 9%, and 32% for subjects in their 50, 60s, and 70s, respectively.
In addition, hypertension, abdominal obesity, increased levels of homocysteine and high sensitivity
C-reactive protein were significantly associated with cerebral WMCs and SBIs. Our study suggests
that regular monitoring of risk factors is required to prevent cerebral WMCs and SBIs and decrease
the incidence of stroke and dementia in healthy individuals.
- Full text:P020150630583221011883.pdf
