Leukoaraiosis predicts poor outcome after spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

Leukoaraiosis (LA) is associated with aging and vascular risk factors, and is a risk factor of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after treatment with warfarin or thrombolytic treatment for ischemic stroke. In this study, we sought to examine whether LA is a predictor of outcome after spontaneous ICH.

We retrospectively analyzed 238 consecutive patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH identified by a database search. Patients were divided into two groups according to neurological outcome at 90 days: patients with good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale ≥4) and patients with poor outcomes. Demographic features, ICH characteristics, and LA severity as assessed by van Swieten score on brain CT were compared between the two groups.

Overall, 105 (44.1%) of the patients analyzed had poor outcomes. In univariate analysis, LA severity, ICH volume on initial brain CT, initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), old age, surgical treatment, and higher admission serum glucose level were associated with poor outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that severity of LA, initial GCS score, hematoma volume, presence of IVH, and surgical treatment were independent predictors of poor outcome.

LA is an independent predictor of poor neurological outcome in patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH.