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Published on: December 28, 2014
Racial Difference in Cerebral Microbleed Burden among Ischemic Stroke Patients
Shima Shahjouei1, Georgios Tsivgoulis2, Mantinderpreet Singh3
1Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
Background And Aims:
Data on the epidemiology of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) among patients with ischemic stroke are limited. This study compared the number, associated factors, and topography of CMBs between African American and Caucasian ischemic stroke patients in the Mid-South United States.
Method:
We evaluated consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to our tertiary stroke center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, in a two-year period. We analyzed T2*-weighted magnetic resonance images for the number, location, and topography of CMBs, as well as patients' demographic and clinical information.
Results:
Among 760 ischemic stroke patients who were included (mean age was 62.1 ± 13.9 years, 51.4% men), 450 (59.2%) were African American. In comparison with Caucasians, African Americans were about five years younger (P = .000) and had a higher rate of hypertension (80.9% vs. 74.5%, P = .036). Similarly, African Americans had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (P = .001). There was no significant difference between African-Americans and Caucasians in terms of CMBs presence and location. African Americans had a higher number of CMBs in comparison with Caucasians, but the difference was not significant. African Americans were more likely to have CMBs ≥5 (P = .047). Although African American stroke patients had a higher rate of large confluent white matter lesions, there was no significant racial difference regarding the rate and severity of deep white matter lesions.
Conclusion:
We did not observe any differences between African American and Caucasian patients with ischemic stroke patients regarding the presence, number, and location of CMBs. However, our results suggested that the prevalence of multiple CMBs (CMBs ≥5) might be higher among African American stroke patients.
Insights
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) prevalence and location did not differ between African American and Caucasian stroke patients. However, African Americans may have a higher prevalence of multiple CMBs (≥5).
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the epidemiology of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in ischemic stroke patients.
- Cerebral microbleeds are small spots of bleeding in the brain, often detected using MRI.
- Understanding CMBs is crucial for stroke risk assessment and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the number, associated factors, and topography of CMBs between African American and Caucasian ischemic stroke patients.
- To investigate racial disparities in CMBs within the Mid-South United States population.
- To contribute to the limited epidemiological data on CMBs in stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of consecutive ischemic stroke patients at a tertiary stroke center.
- Evaluation of T2*-weighted magnetic resonance images for CMBs (number, location, topography).
- Analysis of demographic and clinical data, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus prevalence.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in CMB presence or location between African Americans and Caucasians.
- African Americans were younger and had higher rates of hypertension and diabetes.
- A trend towards a higher number of CMBs in African Americans, with a significantly higher likelihood of having 5 or more CMBs.
Conclusions:
- No observed racial differences in the presence, number, or location of cerebral microbleeds.
- Findings suggest a potentially higher prevalence of multiple CMBs (≥5) among African American stroke patients.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings.
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